Cells and Control: Mitosis

Mitosis is a type of cell division which results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell.
This process is used by multicellular organisms to grow and repair tissues, and it also forms a part of asexual reproduction in some species.
Mitosis is split into several stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase.
During Prophase, the cell’s DNA, which is normally in the form of chromatin, condenses into chromosomes. The nuclear envelope (the membrane surrounding the nucleus) also starts to break down.
In Metaphase, the cell’s chromosomes align in the middle of the cell. This line is often referred to as the metaphase plate.
In the Anaphase stage, the sister chromatids (identical copies of the chromosome) separate and are pulled towards opposite ends of the cell. This is carried out by the motor proteins walking along the microtubules.
The final stage, Telophase, involves the unfolding of chromosomes back into chromatin, the reformation of the nuclear envelope around the DNA at each end of the cell, and the formation of a cleavage furrow, which will later split the cell in two.
The splitting of the cell into two is the final process of mitosis and is called cytokinesis. Two identical cells, each with their own nucleus containing identical DNA, are the result.
If mitosis is not controlled properly, it can lead to the formation of a mass of cells known as a tumour which could lead to cancer. This can occur if mutations happen in the genes that control cell division.

Remember, understanding and memorising the stages of mitosis, alongside the reasons for mitotic cell division, can help grasp detailed concepts and answer more complex biology questions. Solve past paper questions on this topic for practise and look for visual ways to learn, like diagrams, animations or models. Regular revision and knowledge checks can also make these complex processes easier to understand.