Mitosis Flashcards
Why is mitosis important?
ensures that both daughter cells produced when a parent cell divides are genetically identical
except in rare occasions when mutations occur
need to be identical for growth, replacement and repair of tissues
they are also necessary for asexual reporoduction
What must happen to the DNA before mitosis can occur?
must be replicated
each DNA molecule (chromosome_ is converted into two identical DNA molecule called chromatids
What keeps chromatids together and why is this important?
joined together by the centromere
important to keep them together so that they can be precisely manoeuvered and segregated equally, one each into two new daughter cells
What is chromatin?
chromatin is a dense complex formed when DNA combines with proteins called histones
What are the four stages of mitosis?
prophase
metaphase
anaphase
telophase
How can the stages be observed?
using a light microscope
from the root tips of plants
root tips can be treated with a chemical to allow the cells to be separated to form a single layer of cells on a slide
stains can be used to make chromosomes visible
they are adbundant and easily perpared
