mitosis

In biology, the process of cell division by which one parent cell produces two genetically identical ‘daughter’ cells. The genetic material of eukaryotic cells is carried on a number of chromosomes. During mitosis the DNA is duplicated and the chromosome number doubled – identical copies of the chromosomes are separated into the two daughter cells, which contain the same amount of DNA as the original cell. To control movements of chromosomes during cell division so that both new cells get the correct number, a system of protein tubules, known as the spindle, organizes the chromosomes into position in the middle of the cell before they replicate. The spindle then controls the movement of chromosomes as the cell goes through the stages of division: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. See also meiosis.

Mitosis is used for growth and for asexual reproduction. Growth is the increase in size and weight of an organism over a period of time. In biology growth is often measured as biomass. Growth results from mitosis followed by the increase in size of the new cells.