Activity 7PLANT CELL DIVISION: MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESISINTRODUCTIONCell division is the division of one cell into two smaller cells, each with identical DNA. Cellscomplete this process for various reasons: growth, increase in cell number, replacing damagedtissue, replacing worn and dead cells. Mitosis is the distinct process of dividing just the nuclearmaterial into two identical nuclei. Both animal cells and plant cells complete this process ofmitosis.OBJECTIVES1.Examine the different stages of plant mitosis.2.Differentiate mitosis from cytokinesis.CELL DIVISION STAGESCell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. In celldivision, there are different stages of mitosis all together defining the mitotic phase of an animalcell cycle; the division of the mother cell into two daughter cells.Mitosis is understood to involve five phases, based on the physical state of the chromosomes andspindle. These phases are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.Cytokinesis is the final physical cell division that follows telophase, and is therefore sometimesconsidered a sixth phase of mitosis.PROPHASE– Is the first stage of cell division in mitosis and meiosis.It is the process theseparates the duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell into two identicaldaughter cells. During prophase, the complex of DNA and proteins contained in the nucleus,known as chromatin, condenses.
