Question

What are the three functions of mitosis and cytokinesis?

Answer 1

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides to give rise to daughter cells. It is an important event in the growth and development of an organism. There are mainly two kinds of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.

Complete answer:
Mitosis is also known as equational division, where a parent cell divides to give rise to two identical daughter cells. The number of chromosomes in each daughter cell would hence be equal. The main functions of mitosis are:
It helps in the replacement of damaged as well as worn out cells, thus maintaining the cell number.
Many organisms reproduce through mitosis as a mode of asexual reproduction.
The cell division that contributes to the growth of an organism is mitosis. It helps in adding mass to the organism.
The physical mode of cell division is known as cytokinesis, where the division of cytoplasm takes place. The process takes place after the nuclear division. The functions of cytokinesis are:
The process helps in maintaining the accuracy of cell division. Where the cytoplasmic component gets equally distributed into the daughter cells.
The process helps in adding precision to the division.
Helps in separating one nucleus to each daughter cell by separating the nucleus into half.

Note:
Meiosis is known as reduction division. Unlike mitosis, the chromosomal component of the cells get reduced into half. This process plays a major role in maintaining the adequate chromosome number especially during sexual reproduction. Meiosis takes place during the formation of gametes and the chromosome number is restored after fertilization of the gametes.