Biology Group
Question:
lieb3056
Student
High School - 9th Grade
Why is mitosis a form of reproduction?
Answers:
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sullivanl Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by sullivanl on Wednesday April 15, 2009 at 7:50 PMMitosis is a form of asexual reproduction. Mitosis is the process by which cells make exact copies of themselves. Simple organisms such as prokaryotes merely make a copy of themselves and split. It may also be referred to as binary fission.
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cambtone Teacher
College - SenioreNotes Editor
Posted by cambtone on Saturday June 6, 2009 at 7:08 AMMitosis is one part of a cell cycle; the others are G1, S and G2 in that order. In the first stage (G1) cell growth occurs and the proteins and organelles necessary for cell division are produced. During the S phase, the DNA is copied within the nucleus (the nuclear membrane does not break down). Then in the G2 phase the remaining changes needed for cell division occur. The the cell enters mitosis. In prophase, the nuclear membrane breaks down, in metaphase the chromatids (two copies of DNA made in S phase) line up on the cell equator, in anaphase the chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibres to opposite sides of the cell, and in telophase the two new nuclear membranes are formed. Only then does cell division occur, and it is called cytokinesis (not mitosis). So, mitosis is only one stage in cell division, which can be considered a form of asexual reproduction. Commonly, though technically incorrect, the entire process is referred to as mitosis.
