Mitosis

Mitosis is the division of a eukaryotic cell’s nucleus, distributing duplicated chromosomes into two daughter nuclei. It usually precedes division of the cell’s cytoplasm.

Prophase: The first mitotic stage, when chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle begins to form. Chromosome condensation and spindle assembly launch the division sequence.
Cell cycle: The ordered sequence of growth, DNA replication, and division through which a cell passes. Mitosis occupies the division phase of this broader cycle.
Meiosis: A specialized cell division that produces haploid cells through two successive divisions. Unlike mitosis, it reduces chromosome number and creates genetically varied products.
Embryonic development: The sequence of changes through which a fertilized egg develops into an embryo. Repeated mitotic divisions expand the cell population during early development.
Spindle assembly checkpoint: A cell-cycle control system that delays chromosome separation until kinetochores are properly attached to spindle microtubules. It reduces the risk of separating chromosomes before attachment is complete.
Metaphase: The mitotic stage in which duplicated chromosomes align at the cell’s equator. Alignment positions each chromosome for equal separation.
S phase: The cell-cycle interval in which nuclear DNA is replicated. Chromosomes must be duplicated before mitosis can distribute them.
Binary fission: A form of cell division used by prokaryotes, involving chromosome replication and cell splitting. It divides cells without the eukaryotic mitotic nucleus and spindle.
Stem cell: A cell capable of self-renewal and of producing one or more specialized cell types. Stem-cell populations rely on mitosis to maintain and expand themselves.
Aneuploidy: A chromosome-number state in which a cell has gained or lost individual chromosomes. Mitotic segregation errors can leave daughter cells with abnormal chromosome counts.

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