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Mitosis

Mitosis is the process through which a cell separates into two identical halves; it is distinct from meiosis, the other type of cell division, in that both resulting cells contain a full complement of DNA instead of the haploid DNA that results from meiosis. Mitosis is separate from cytokinesis, which is the division of the cytoplasm and cell membrane, but in most eukaryotic cells it is soon followed by this division; after cytokinesis, two identical daughter cells are produced. Mitosis plus cytokinesis are correctly referred to as the "mitotic phase."

Mitosis occurs only in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells, which lack a true nucleus, divide through binary fission.

In cells like slime moulds or fungi, the mitotic phase does not occur as in other eukaryotes; instead, mitosis occurs, and then cytokineses may occur later or not at all, resulting in cells with multiple nuclei.

Mitosis is divided into the following phases: interphase (further divided into G1, S, and G2 phases), where the chromosomes duplicate themselves in preparation for separation; and then prophase, where the chromosomes divide into centrosomes; prometaphase, where the centrosomes align along the imaginary diameter of the cell; metaphase, where the chromosomes are aligned; anaphase, where identical chromosomes bound in centrosomes are cleaved and repulsed from one another; and telophase, where a cleavage furrow appears in the cell while the debris left by the rest of mitosis is cleaned up.

Web Resources On Mitosis

Animal Cell Mitosis
The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial

Book Resources On Mitosis

Molecular Regulation of Nuclear Events in Mitosis and Meiosis by Robert Schlegel, et al

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