Word parts
What it means
The way body cells copy themselves for growth, healing and replacing worn-out cells. The cell copies its DNA, then divides once into two identical daughter cells, each with 46 chromosomes in humans. Cancer cells divide by mitosis out of control, and many chemotherapy drugs target dividing cells, which is why they also affect hair, gut lining and bone marrow.
Remember it
MiTosis makes Two identical cells; MEiosis makes Eggs (and sperm).
At a glance
| Spanish | mitosis |
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Easy to confuse with
meiosis
Cell division that makes eggs or sperm, each with half the usual number of chromosomes.
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
chromosome
A thread-like structure in the nucleus of a cell that carries the genes, made of tightly packed DNA.
cellular
Relating to cells, the smallest living units that make up the body.
meiosis
Cell division that makes eggs or sperm, each with half the usual number of chromosomes.