Mitosis
Mitosis occurs when a single parent cell splits into two identical daughter cells. The daughter
cells are genetic copies of the parent cells. Mitosis is the process our cells use to divide, which
allows us to grow and heal. Many organisms use the process of mitosis to reproduce asexually.
So what is it?
Mitosis is a type of cell division – it is a series of steps that ensure each daughter cell is an
exact copy of the parent cell. The diagram below is a simplified explanation of the process of
mitosis.
Chromosomes are bundles of DNA (genetic information). They determine what a cell must do
and what type of cell it is (e.g. muscle cell, skin cell etc). Most cells in the human body contain
46 chromosomes.
TASK 1: Click on the link below and watch the video. Then answer the following
questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwcwSZIfKlM
What is mitosis used for in humans?
What is interphase?
What are chromosomes made of?
Why do cells duplicate their chromosomes
during interphase?
What does PMAT stand for?
What occurs during prophase?
What occurs during metaphase?
What occurs during anaphase?
What are spindles?
What occurs during telophase?
How many daughter cells does mitosis
produce?
Why is an understanding of mitosis important
in cancer research?
TASK 2: Work in pairs to complete this task.
Working with a partner, draw/construct a flow chart that shows the stages of mitosis. Ensure
your flow explains what is happening at each of the following stages (you need a picture and a
description for each step):
- Interphase
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
Each person in your partnership must have a copy of this flow chart, and it must be stuck in
your science exercise book.