Cell division producing two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent and to each other, used for growth, repair and tissue replacement.

How does mitosis differ from meiosis?

Mitosis conserves the chromosome number and produces identical cells. Meiosis halves the chromosome number and produces genetically varied gametes.

Mitosis

noun (uncountable)

/maɪˈtəʊsɪs/

Mitosis is the type of eukaryotic cell division in which a parent cell replicates its chromosomes and divides into two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same diploid chromosome number as the parent. It proceeds through four sequential phases — prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase — and is essential for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction. Cancer, a leading cause of non-communicable disease mortality in India, arises when the regulatory checkpoints governing mitosis are disrupted, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Disruption of mitotic spindle assembly checkpoints is a primary mechanism by which carcinogens induce genomic instability, a finding central to India's National Cancer Grid treatment protocols targeting rapidly dividing tumour cells.

Synonyms

somatic cell divisionequational divisioncleavage divisionproliferative division

Antonyms

meiosisapoptosissenescence

🌱 Word Family

mitotic (adjective), mitotically (adverb), mitogen (noun), mitogenesis (noun)

🔡 Root

Greek mitos = thread (referring to chromosomal threads visible under microscope); -osis = process or condition

📜 Etymology

The term was introduced by German anatomist Walther Flemming in 1882 from Greek mitos (warp thread, thread), describing the thread-like appearance of chromosomes he observed during cell division. The suffix -osis is a Greek formative denoting a biological process or pathological condition. Flemming's work in Zellsubstanz, Kern und Zelltheilung established the vocabulary of modern cell biology.

🧠 Memory Hook

PMAT — Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase — the four stages of mitosis spell out a simple sequence. Remember: mito- means thread; in mitosis, chromosomes look like threads dancing before the cell splits into two identical copies.

🎯 How This Word Works in UPSC Writing

The type of cell division producing two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent, with the same chromosome number. Its role is growth, repair and replacement of tissue. The contrast with meiosis is the standard examination point: meiosis halves the chromosome number and produces gametes with genetic variation, whereas mitosis conserves both number and identity.

⚖️ Don’t Confuse It With

Mitosis produces two identical diploid daughter cells for growth and repair. Meiosis produces four genetically varied haploid gametes. Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm that completes the process. Interphase is the preparatory stage before division, not a stage of mitosis itself.

🇮🇳 Hindi Meaning

समसूत्री विभाजन (samasūtrī vibhājan); अर्धसूत्री विभाजन is meiosis.

❓ Common Questions

What is mitosis?: Cell division producing two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent and to each other, used for growth, repair and tissue replacement.
How does mitosis differ from meiosis?: Mitosis conserves the chromosome number and produces identical cells. Meiosis halves the chromosome number and produces genetically varied gametes.

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Human Body Systems — Organ Systems, Ph...

Relevant across:GS3 · Economy, Environment, S&T & Security

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