Chapter 9.2, Problem 4MI

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Two functions of mitosis in animals.

Introduction:

Mitosis is a form of eukaryotic cell division that produces two daughter cells with the same genetic component as the parent cell. Chromosomes replicated during the S phase are divided in such a way as to ensure that each daughter cell receives a copy of every chromosome. In actively dividing animal cells, the whole process takes about one hour.

Explanation of Solution

Mitosis describes the division of one cell into two identical daughter cells. It occurs in several stages, each stage describing a stereotyped set of changes in cell contents and structure.

The two function of mitosis in animal are:

1) Growth of the organism: The genetic stability is achieved by mitosis. All these cells are formed from the first cell zygote by mitosis. Zygote divides by mitosis to form genetically identical daughter cells.

2) Repair the damage cells: In the case of wound healing; that should be replaced with the same type of cells with the same genetic quality. This is achieved by mitosis.