What does mitosis mean?
Mitosis is the biological process by which a single cell divides to produce two daughter cells that are genetically identical to one another and normally have the same chromosome number as the original cell. Before division, the cell duplicates its DNA, organizes the chromosomes, and separates them so that each new cell receives a complete set. Mitosis is central to growth, tissue repair, and the replacement of cells throughout multicellular organisms, while also serving as the mechanism by which many single-celled organisms reproduce. It is distinct from meiosis, the specialized form of division used to produce gametes such as sperm and egg cells. The word commonly appears in biology, genetics, and medical contexts, where it can refer either to the overall process or to its various stages.
nounThe process by which a cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell.
- The division of a cell into two genetically identical daughter cells, generally each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell.
"The cell completed mitosis and formed two genetically identical daughter cells."
"The organism grows through repeated rounds of mitosis."
"Researchers observed the unusual chromosome arrangement during mitosis."
The standard plural is formed by adding -es to the singular form.
"The cells underwent multiple mitoses during the experiment."
Mitosis is the cell's careful photocopying process: one cell becomes two, with the original set of chromosomes faithfully copied in each.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mitosis come from?
The word comes from Greek mitos, meaning “thread,” combined with the suffix -osis, denoting a process or condition. The name refers to the threadlike structures that chromosomes form during cell division. Related forms include mitochondrial, from mitochondrion, and mitogen, a substance that stimulates cell division.
Related word forms
How mitosis is actually used
Mitosis is a formal biological term used chiefly in cell biology, genetics, and medicine. In everyday discussion it is usually described as cell division, while mitosis specifically refers to the process that duplicates the cell's genetic material and separates the chromosomes into two nuclei.
Easily confused with mitosis
Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells with the original chromosome number, whereas meiosis produces four genetically distinct haploid cells with half the usual chromosome number.