1. Mitosis
-Mitosis is important for living things because it allows organisms to grow and to heal
-cells also get worn out and die (ie. in the skin, stomach, hair, and blood cells), and mitosis allows cells to be replaced
-mitosis can also lead to cancer
-mitosis is the process of creating more cells, usually an identical copy

2. Mitosis
Interphase: genetic material (chromatin) inside the cell replicates – cell gets larger because there are two copies of the genetic material
Prophase: genetic material condenses into chromosomes; centrioles move out to opposite edges and the nuclear envelope begins to break down
Metaphase: all chromosomes line up in the middle as
spindle fibers connect to the center of the chromosomes

3. Mitosis
Anaphase: chromosomes begin to spread apart as they are pulled by spindle fibers
Telophase: cell begins to spread apart further and the nuclear envelope begins to reform
Cytokinesis: two new cells are produced; referred to as daughter
cells

4. What If…?
Write a story about what would happen if mitosis didn’t exist or didn’t work very well.
Consider what it would mean for growing from a baby to an adult, for damage to tissues (like getting a cut), and for things like hair, skin, teeth, and nails.