Question

Give significance of mitosis.

Answer 1

The cells of the body divide to make copies of themselves so that different biological processes can be carried out by the living organism. The cell division is an important step in the life of the cells.

Complete Solution:
The process by which the parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells which share the same DNA as that of the parent is called cell division. During the process of cell division DNA remains the same as that of the parent and the process continues. The cell division is an important feature of living cells as they divide to perform three functions such as reproduction, repairing of tissues, increasing tissue growth and formation of gametes.

In living organisms, cell division is of two types namely mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is the division where two daughter cells are produced from the parent cell while in meiosis, there are four daughter cells produced from the parent cells.

Mitosis type of cell division is the process in which the parent cells divide to produce two daughter cells. The daughter cells are the exact copies of the parent as they have the same chromosome number as that of their parent. Meiosis is the division where gamete cells are produced. The parent has a double chromosomal number but in the daughter cells the chromosome number is half that means the daughter cells are haploid.

Since the mitosis type of division takes place in the somatic cells of the body, it is also known as somatic division.

The importance or significance of mitosis can be summarized as follows:
- Mitosis leads to producing two daughter cells from the mother cell. The mother cells produce two daughter cells in one cell cycle.
- The daughter cells produced are identical to the mother cells in shape, size as well as in the chromosomal complement. Due to 5this, mitosis is also called homotypic or equational division.
- In plants, the mitosis division takes place in the somatic organs such as root tip, stem and leaf base and it leads to development and growth of the vegetative parts of the plants.
- In multicellular organisms, it is the chief way for growth and development.
- In most multicellular organisms, it helps to repair damaged tissues and is involved in renewal of old and damaged cells.
- It is responsible for the development of the fertilised zygote to develop and grow into an adult.
- The complete process of mitosis is completed and consists of only one equational division.
- Mitosis is very much important for asexual type of reproduction as well as vegetative propagation of the plants.
- As there occurs no recombination or crossing over, purity of the gene is maintained as a result there is no variation.

Note: Both the two types of cell division is needed for the growth of the organism. The mitotic type of cell division helps the organism to grow and develop.