Cell division allows for all living things to make more cells.

Making more cells can help in body repair itself, allow an organism to grow, develop, and even reproduce.

Is a process in which body (somatic) cells divide to create new ones.

DNA in the nucleus condenses and forms chromosomes, which carry genetic information and begin to form cell structures. This step is called interphase.

2n nucleus

DNA

Chromosomes

During this stage the chromosomes make copies so that equal amounts of genetic information get transferred to the new cell, and the nuclear membrane disappears .

During this stage, chromosomes line-up in the middle and prepare to split equally .

At this stage, chromosomes split and move away to opposite sides of the cell.

At this stage, the chromosomes approach the opposite ends of the cell and group together. New nuclear membranes form and two identical cells are made.

2n 2n

Some eukaryotic organisms, like amoebas, reproduce using MITOSIS. The parent and the offspring are identical to each other or in other words are considered clones.

Binary Fission: Happens in prokaryotes, like bacteria. The parent cell splits to make a new cell. However, there is no nucleus, thus the process happens very fast.

Budding: Some organisms, like yeast, reproduce by growing a part of their body and producing an offspring.

Amoeba Bacteria

Hydra