Cell Division and Mitosis
Your body is constantly making new cells through a process called mitosis. Think of it like photocopying - when a cell divides, it creates two identical copies of itself, each with exactly the same genetic information.
Here's how it works: imagine a normal cell with 4 chromosomes arranged in 2 pairs. Before the cell divides, it makes a complete copy of each chromosome. Then the cell splits into two daughter cells, each containing the same 4 chromosomes as the original parent cell.
The cell cycle happens in three main stages. First, the DNA gets replicated and new cell parts are made. Then mitosis occurs where the nucleus divides. Finally, the whole cell splits in two.
Why it matters: Mitosis is essential for growth, healing injuries, and developing from a baby into an adult. Without it, you'd never grow taller or heal that paper cut!
Differentiation is when cells become specialised for specific jobs. In animals like humans, this happens very early in life. However, plant cells are more flexible - they can differentiate throughout their entire lives, especially in areas called meristems found in roots and shoots.
