The biological blueprint for growth and repair is a perfect copy.

Science · Published 27 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: How does a single cell become a complex organism without losing its core identity? The answer lies in mitosis, a high-precision duplication process. It ensures that every new cell carries the exact same genetic instructions as its parent, allowing for growth, healing, and life itself.

Mitosis is the fundamental mechanism of cell duplication, responsible for growth, the repair of worn-out tissues, and asexual reproduction. While the process varies in duration—taking anywhere from minutes to hours depending on the species and cell type—its goal is constant: producing two genetically identical daughter cells. This precision is what allows a human to grow from a single zygote into a multi-trillion-cell organism while maintaining a consistent genetic code. The process begins with interphase, where the cell prepares by replicating its DNA. In humans, this means the chromosome count temporarily doubles from 46 to 92. During prophase, these duplicated chromosomes condense and coil into visible structures, while the nucleolus shrinks and the nuclear membrane begins to break down. Each chromosome consists of two chromatids, one inherited from each parent. This duplication occurs before mitosis officially starts. The cell also synthesizes the proteins required to build the mitotic spindle during this preparatory phase.

The cell then moves into metaphase, where the chromosomes line up perfectly along the cell's equator (midline), anchored by spindle fibres that form in the cytoplasm. The critical transition occurs during anaphase. The centromeres—the points where two identical chromatids are joined—divide, allowing the spindle fibres to pull the separate chromatids toward opposite poles. Finally, in telophase, the nuclear membranes reform around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to decondense back into chromatin. The final physical separation, cytokinesis, pinches the cell membrane to create two distinct daughter cells, each returning to the original human count of 46 chromosomes. The spindle fibres shorten to facilitate the movement of the genetic material. The process is influenced by external factors like temperature and chemicals. It can also be affected by the specific time of day.

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