Cell division

Cell division is the process by which a cell (called the parent cell) divides into two cells (called daughter cells). Cell division is usually a small segment of a larger cell cycle. In meiosis (discussed later), however, a cell is permanently transformed and cannot divide again.

Related Topics:
Cell - Cell cycle

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Cell division is the biological basis of life. For simple unicellular organisms such as the Amoeba, one cell division reproduces an entire organism. On a larger scale, cell division can create progeny from multicellular organisms, such as plants that grow from cuttings. But most importantly, cell division enables sexually reproducing organisms to develop from the one-celled zygote, which itself was produced by cell division from gametes. And after growth, cell division allows for continual renewal and repair of the organism.

Related Topics:
Unicellular organism - Amoeba - Reproduces - Sexually reproducing - Zygote - Gamete

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The primary concern of cell division is the maintenance of the original cell's genome. Before division can occur, the genomic information which is stored in chromosomes must be replicated, and the duplicated genome separated cleanly between cells. A great deal of cellular infrastructure is involved in keeping genomic information consistent between "generations."

Related Topics:
Genome - Chromosomes

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