Mitosis is the process by which new body cells are produced through cell division. It occurs in multiple stages where the parent cell's chromosomes are copied and split, resulting in two daughter cells that are identical to the original parent cell and contain the same genetic information. This allows for growth, cell replacement, and the maintenance of cell numbers and types in complex organisms that originated from a single fertilized egg.

1. Mitosis
Cell division
By Mahesh Mahendrakar
MSc,MPhil,(PhD)

2. Cell division
All complex organisms
originated from a single
fertilised egg.
Every cell in your body
started here, through cell
division the numbers are
increased
Cell then specialise and
change into their various
roles

3. Mitosis
• Mitosis is the process by which new body
cell are produced for:
– Growth
– Replacing damaged or old cells.
This is a complex process requiring different
stages

4. 2 daughter cells
identical to original
Parent cell
Chromosomes are
copied and double
in number
Chromosomes
now split

5. Mitosis
• All daughter cells contain the same genetic
information from the original parent cell from
which it was copied.
• Every different type cell in your body
contains the same genes, but only some act to
make the cells specialise – e.g. into nerve or
muscle tissue.

6. Mitosis – bone cell slides
1 2
3 4 5
Parent cell Chromosomes
copied
Copies separating 2 daughter cells
Cells
split

7. Plants
apical
meristem

8. Rat – epithelial cells

9. Cell membrane

10. Cell membrane