What is mitosis?

Mitosis, or cell division, is a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

When answering this question it is important to be clear about what is being replicated. Simply saying that the 'cell' is replicated will not convince the examiner that you know what is happening.

Cells produced by mitosis are genetically identical because the 'chromosomes' or 'DNA' have been replicated. Including these words in your answer is crucial.

The four stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

During mitosis, pairs of chromatids line up and then attach to spindle fibers which pull the sister chromatids to the telomeres at opposite sides of the cell. The cell then divides by cytokinesis, to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.

Key point: Daughter cells from mitosis have a full set of chromosomes and are genetically identical.

I hope this helps!

Claire