- Most cells reproduce through some sort of Cell Division
- Prokaryotic cells divide through a simple form of division called Binary Fission
- 3 step process
- Single "naked" strand splits and forms a duplicate of itself.
- The two copies move to opposite sides of the cell
- Cell "pinches" into two new and identical cells (Cell wall then forms if applicable)

- Eukaryotes divide by a more complicated system called Mitosis
- This is because:
- They have a nucleus which must be broken up and then reformed.
- They have their DNA "packaged" in the form of Chromosomes
- Chromosomes are composed of Chromatin
- Made of DNA Strands
- Also contain Histones - Proteins the DNA is wrapped around
- They usually have more than 1 chromosome (humans have 23 pairs)
- They have numerous organelles to distribute between the daughter cells.

- Most of the cell's life is spent doing its regular function.
- Cells divide along a rough time frame called its Cell Cycle.

- The Cell cycle consists of the folowing steps:
- G1 (Gap 1) Phase - Cell performs its normal function (cells which do not divide stay in this stage for their entire life span)
- S (Synthesis) Phase - Here the cell actively duplicates its DNA in preparation for division
- G2 (Gap 2) Phase - Amount of cytoplasm (including organelles) increases in preparation for division.
- Mitosis - Actual division occurs
- Mitosis is a 6 Stage process which is summarized in the table below:
Name | Image | Description | |
1 | Interphase | ![]() | Cell Replicates its DNA/Chromosomes in preparation of upcoming division |
2 | Prophase | ![]() |
|
3 | Metaphase | ![]() |
|
4 | Anaphase | ![]() |
|
5 | Telophase | ![]() |
|
6 | Cytokenesis | ![]() |
|
Mitosis

Overview of Mitosis
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