17.2 Mitosis

Mitosis as nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical daughter cells (details of stages not required). Chromosomes are exactly replicated BEFORE mitosis; during mitosis the copies (sister chromatids) separate, maintaining the chromosome number in each daughter cell. The four roles of mitosis: growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells, and asexual reproduction. Stem cells defined as unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells that can become specialised for specific functions. Entire topic is HL only.