meaning of cell division
Answer (1)
Answer:Cell division is the process by which a single cell divides into two or more daughter cells. This is essential for: - Growth: Cell division allows organisms to grow from a single fertilized egg into a complex, multicellular organism.- Repair: Cell division replaces damaged or worn-out cells, helping to maintain the integrity of tissues and organs.- Reproduction: In many organisms, cell division is the basis of reproduction, creating new individuals. There are two main types of cell division: 1. Mitosis: This is the process of cell division that produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. It's used for growth and repair in multicellular organisms. 2. Meiosis: This is a specialized type of cell division that produces four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It's used for sexual reproduction, creating gametes (sperm and egg cells). Here's a simple analogy: Imagine a cell as a cookie cutter. When it divides through mitosis, it creates two identical cookie cutters. When it divides through meiosis, it creates four cookie cutters, each with half the size of the original. Key things to remember about cell division: - It's a highly regulated process with checkpoints to ensure accuracy.- Errors in cell division can lead to diseases like cancer.- Cell division is fundamental to life and is essential for the survival of all living organisms.
