What does mitosis produce and how?
Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells. It produces two identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. The process of mitosis involves several stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
During prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible under a microscope. The nuclear envelope begins to break down, and the centrosomes, which contain the microtubules, move to opposite ends of the cell.
In metaphase, the condensed chromosomes align along the middle of the cell, forming a metaphase plate. The microtubules from the centrosomes attach to the chromosomes at their centromeres.
During anaphase, the microtubules shorten, separating the sister chromatids of each chromosome. The separated chromatids move towards opposite ends of the cell, pulled by the microtubules connected to the centromeres.
In telophase, the chromosomes reach the opposite ends of the cell, and new nuclear envelopes start forming around each set of chromosomes. The cell then undergoes cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm and organelles between the two daughter cells.
Overall, mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. The daughter cells can continue to grow and perform their specific functions in the body.