1. Definition
1.1. A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus
2. Function
2.1. In unicellular organisms such as bacteria, mitosis is a type of asexual reproduction, making identical copies of a single cell. In multicellular organisms, mitosis produces more cells for growth and repair.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhgRhXl7w_g
4. Stages
4.1. Interphase
4.1.1. In a cell that is not undergoing mitosis, the chromosomes are invisible with a light microscope. This stage of the cell cycle is called interphase.
4.2. Prophase
4.2.1. Prophase is marked by the condensation of chromosomes. Each chromosome is already longitudinally double, consisting of two subunits called chromatids.
4.3. Metaphase
4.3.1. At the beginning of metaphase, the mitotic spindle forms. The spindle fibers attach to each chromosome in the region of the centromere. The chromosomes move toward the center of the cell.
4.4. Anaphase
4.4.1. In anaphase, the centromeres divide longitudinally, and the two sister chromatids of each chromosome move toward opposite poles of the spindle.
4.5. Telophase
4.5.1. In telophase, a nuclear envelope forms around each compact group of chromosomes, nucleoli are formed, and the spindle disappears. The chromosomes undergo decondensation until they are no longer visible as separate units. The two daughter nuclei assume a typical interphase appearance. The cytoplasm of the cell divides in two (Cytokineses).