Cell division
What Is Cell Division?
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell splits into two (or more) daughter cells.
In eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus), this usually happens as part of the cell cycle: a cycle of growth, DNA replication, and division.
There are two main types of cell division in eukaryotes: mitosis and meiosis.
Why Cell Division Is Important
• Growth: your body need more cells to grow.
• Repair & Maintenance: To replace cells that are old, damaged, or dead (like skin cells).
• Reproduction: In organisms that reproduce sexually, meiosis ensures the right number of chromosomes gets passed on and adds genetic diversity.
• Genetic Stability: Through careful control (like checkpoints in cell cycle), cells make sure DNA isn’t messed up, mistakes can lead to problems like cancer.