Biology vocabulary · Cells and Levels of Organization
Mitosis
Meaning in biology, with examples
/maɪˈtoʊsɪs/nounCore term
In biology, mitosis means: A type of cell division in which one cell produces two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes and the same genetic information as the parent cell.
In Turkish: mitoz, mitoz bölünme
How it is used
Used for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Its phases are prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase (remembered as PMAT), usually followed by cytokinesis. The adjective is mitotic: mitotic phase, mitotic spindle.
Example sentences
Skin cells are constantly replaced by mitosis.
On the onion root tip slide, you can see cells at every stage of mitosis.
Common collocations
undergo mitosis
stages of mitosis
mitotic division
mitotic spindle
Related terms
meiosisA type of cell division that produces four cells, each with half the usual number of chromosomes. It makes the sex cells (gametes) and creates genetic variety.
chromosomeA long, tightly packed structure of DNA and proteins that carries many genes. Human body cells normally have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs.
cellThe smallest unit of life that can survive on its own. Every living thing is made of one or more cells, and each cell is surrounded by a membrane.
stem cellAn unspecialized cell that can divide many times and develop into one or more specialized cell types, such as muscle, nerve or blood cells.
