Mitosis The process in which cells make more cells

Chromosome: structure of DNA in the nucleus All organisms have a specific number of chromosomes Chromosomes contain all the genetic material of an organism Microscope Picture

Cells are damaged and destroyed daily. They have to be replaced. Mitosis is used to make new cells Mitosis produces exact copies of the original cell Mitosis is the division of one cell to become two identical cells Mitosis begins with the replication of DNA—cell needs 2 copies of DNA: one for each daughter cell

A fter DNA is replicated, the cellular material will start to divide. M ore of the organelles will be produced to go into both daughter cells T here are four steps to Mitosis: –P–P rophase—nuclear membrane dissolves –M–M etaphase—chromosomes line up –A–A naphase—chromosomes are pulled apart –T–T elophase—plasma membrane forms between cells

Each daughter cell receives the same DNA: the chromosome number is the same as the parent cells Creates no variation in daughter cells Mitosis is a process that some organisms use to produce entirely new offspring— called asexual reproduction Examples: plants (vegetative propagation), bacteria (binary fission)