How do cells duplicate?

Have you ever wondered how your body makes more cells? The human body duplicates cells in a process called “Mitosis”, also known as cell division.

Mitosis is the simple duplication of a cell and all its parts, including DNA. The two new cells through mitosis created are known as “Daughter cells.” These daughter cells are identical to the original “Parent cell.” There are 5 parts of mitosis known as: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and interphase.

The first step of mitosis is known as prophase. In prophase, the cell has changes in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The chromatin fibers bunch up forming tight discrete chromosomes. Each chromosome appears as two sister chromatids joined together. In the cytoplasm, the mitotic spindle begins to grow. During metaphase, the mitotic spindle is fully formed since its poles are at opposite ends of the cell. The chromosomes’ centromeres line up at the metaphase plate. During anaphase, the centromeres of each chromosome come apart, separating them into sister chromatids. During telophase, the cell elongates and daughter cells begin to form. By the end of telophase, the chromatin fibers uncoil and the mitotic spindle goes away. After telophase, cytokinesis occurs. During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm of the cell is divided. After the two daughter cells are completely separated.

Picture Source: Sciencing.com