Study Points on Mitosis: Understanding the Process of Mitosis

Mitosis can be a tricky spot for Biology students, especially those who are experience first exposure to it and the principles of meiosis, another type of cell reproduction function that students tend to confuse. Here are some important study points that will aid in better understanding the process and importance of mitosis.

Cytokinesis always occurs at the cell's midline, why is that?

Answer: Cytokinesis occurs in the cell's midline because the chromatids are pulled to opposite ends of the cell and pulls the cell into two cells taking with it a complete and identical set of chromosomes. Meanwhile, the plasma membrane of the cell is pinching inward. This combination separates the cell from the middle. What is commonly mistaken about this split is that it has to be exact; however, that isn't the case. Instead, cytokinesis doesn't have to be exact because the cell can easily produce more cytoplasm to make up for any inconsistencies.

Is cytokinesis necessary? What would happen if the cell underwent mitosis by skipped out on cytokinesis?

Answer: If the cell underwent mitosis without cytokinesis, the cell would have a double set of chromosomes in it because it wouldn't have split and given the copy to the new cell. Additionally, you've have a multinucleated cell. These do exist in nature and one is called Langhans cell.

Why is it that plants differ in cytokinesis? Why is the pinching of the cytoplasm not enough?

Answer: The pinching of the cytoplasm is insufficient in plants due to the fact that plants have a hard cell wall on the outside of their cells. As such, a new cell wall has to be created when mitosis occurs in plants.

Why is it necessary that DNA be duplicated during the S phase of the cell cycle, prior to mitosis occurring?

Answer: DNA must duplicate prior to mitosis so that the cell is ready to divide giving a complete set of chromosomes to the daughter cell. Without this, chromosomes wouldn't be ready for the new daughter cells.

Why is mitosis genetically significant?