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10 Dec 2025

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Mitosis and Cell Division Explained

S

Sophia @sophia_hqca

Your body is constantly growing, repairing damage, and replacing old cells - and it all happens through an... Show more

Interphase
Parent cell
prophase
Metaphase ↓
Anaphase
Telophase
A
new
nucleus
cytokinesis L
↓
00 00
7
daughter cell
Interphase:
DNA Spread in

Cell Division Through Mitosis

Think of mitosis as nature's photocopying machine - it creates exact duplicates of cells when your body needs them. Before this process even begins, cells go through interphase, where they copy their DNA and prepare for division.

Your body cells are diploid, meaning they contain two copies of each chromosome. During interphase, the DNA spreads out in long strings, then copies itself to form X-shaped chromosomes that are ready for splitting.

The actual mitosis process has four main stages that happen in order. Prophase kicks things off when the nucleus membrane breaks down. Metaphase sees all chromosomes line up neatly in the cell's centre, like students queuing for lunch.

Anaphase is when the real action happens - each chromosome splits in half and identical copies get pulled to opposite sides of the cell. Finally, telophase forms new membranes around each set of chromosomes, followed by cytokinesis where the cytoplasm and cell membrane divide completely.

Quick Tip Remember PMAT (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase) to nail the order every time!

The end result? Two genetically identical daughter cells that can each divide again, doubling your cell count with every round of division.

Interphase
Parent cell
prophase
Metaphase ↓
Anaphase
Telophase
A
new
nucleus
cytokinesis L
↓
00 00
7
daughter cell
Interphase:
DNA Spread in

Growth, Development and When Things Go Wrong

Cell division powers almost everything your body does to grow and stay healthy. In animals like you, growth happens purely through mitosis creating new cells, whilst plants get creative by also stretching their existing cells through elongation.

Cell differentiation is equally crucial - this is how identical cells transform into specialised ones like heart cells, brain cells, or muscle cells. Your DNA acts like a master controller, deciding how quickly cells should divide and what they should become.

Sometimes this carefully controlled process goes haywire, leading to cancer. When DNA changes cause uncontrolled cell division, you get a mass of abnormal cells called a tumour. If this tumour starts invading surrounding tissue, it becomes cancerous.

Doctors use percentile charts to track whether growth is happening normally in babies and children. They plot measurements like weight and height on graphs, watching for warning signs like sudden jumps between percentile lines or measurements that fall outside the normal range.

Remember Your body's growth is remarkably well-controlled, but understanding these processes helps explain both normal development and what can go wrong.

We thought you’d never ask...

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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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Basil

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Biology

153

10 Dec 2025

2 pages

Mitosis and Cell Division Explained

S

Sophia

@sophia_hqca

Your body is constantly growing, repairing damage, and replacing old cells - and it all happens through an amazing process called mitosis. This cellular division is like a perfectly choreographed dance that creates two identical cells from one, keeping... Show more

Interphase
Parent cell
prophase
Metaphase ↓
Anaphase
Telophase
A
new
nucleus
cytokinesis L
↓
00 00
7
daughter cell
Interphase:
DNA Spread in

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

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Cell Division Through Mitosis

Think of mitosis as nature's photocopying machine - it creates exact duplicates of cells when your body needs them. Before this process even begins, cells go through interphase, where they copy their DNA and prepare for division.

Your body cells are diploid, meaning they contain two copies of each chromosome. During interphase, the DNA spreads out in long strings, then copies itself to form X-shaped chromosomes that are ready for splitting.

The actual mitosis process has four main stages that happen in order. Prophase kicks things off when the nucleus membrane breaks down. Metaphase sees all chromosomes line up neatly in the cell's centre, like students queuing for lunch.

Anaphase is when the real action happens - each chromosome splits in half and identical copies get pulled to opposite sides of the cell. Finally, telophase forms new membranes around each set of chromosomes, followed by cytokinesis where the cytoplasm and cell membrane divide completely.

Quick Tip: Remember PMAT (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase) to nail the order every time!

The end result? Two genetically identical daughter cells that can each divide again, doubling your cell count with every round of division.

Interphase
Parent cell
prophase
Metaphase ↓
Anaphase
Telophase
A
new
nucleus
cytokinesis L
↓
00 00
7
daughter cell
Interphase:
DNA Spread in

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Growth, Development and When Things Go Wrong

Cell division powers almost everything your body does to grow and stay healthy. In animals like you, growth happens purely through mitosis creating new cells, whilst plants get creative by also stretching their existing cells through elongation.

Cell differentiation is equally crucial - this is how identical cells transform into specialised ones like heart cells, brain cells, or muscle cells. Your DNA acts like a master controller, deciding how quickly cells should divide and what they should become.

Sometimes this carefully controlled process goes haywire, leading to cancer. When DNA changes cause uncontrolled cell division, you get a mass of abnormal cells called a tumour. If this tumour starts invading surrounding tissue, it becomes cancerous.

Doctors use percentile charts to track whether growth is happening normally in babies and children. They plot measurements like weight and height on graphs, watching for warning signs like sudden jumps between percentile lines or measurements that fall outside the normal range.

Remember: Your body's growth is remarkably well-controlled, but understanding these processes helps explain both normal development and what can go wrong.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

4

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

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Explore the stages of mitosis in detail, including interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This concise summary highlights the key processes involved in cell division, essential for GCSE Edexcel and AQA students. Understand how mitosis contributes to growth and cell replacement, and use the PMAT acronym to remember the sequence of events.

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Samantha Klich

Android user

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Anna

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

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Thomas R

iOS user

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David K

iOS user

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

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Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user