Mitosis
From one cell, two identical cells: life's copying machine
Summary
Mitosis is the process in which a cell copies its DNA exactly and produces two identical new cells. It takes place in four phases called prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. All the growth, wound repair and renewal in our bodies happens through this mechanism.
In depth
Before mitosis, the cell makes a complete copy of the DNA in its nucleus (the S phase). Each chromosome takes on an X shape made of two identical sister chromatids. The aim of mitosis is to split these paired chromatids exactly in half and share them equally between two daughter cells. The process is studied in four classic phases: in prophase the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down; in metaphase the spindle fibres line the chromosomes up in the middle of the cell (the equatorial plane); in anaphase the sister chromatids are pulled to opposite poles; in telophase new nuclear envelopes form and the cell splits in two by cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm). The result: two genetically identical cells.
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