Functions of Cell Division

Cell division, cell multiplication or Cell reproduction is the process of formation of new or daughter cells from the pre existing or parent cells. Three types of cell division have been distinguished: Amitosis, Mitosis and Meiosis.

Mitosis or somatic cell division; nuclear division in which the duplicated chromosomes separate to form two genetically identical daughter nuclei.

Process of nuclear division in which duplicated chromosomes are faithfully separated from one another, producing two nuclei, each with a complete copy of all the chromosomes present in the original cell.

The normal process of nuclear division occurring by which two daughter nuclei are produced, each identical to the parent nucleus. Before mitosis begins each chromosome replicate to form two sister chromatids; these then separate during mitosis so that one duplicate goes into each daughter nucleus. The results is two daughter nuclei, each with an identical complement of chromosomes and hence of genes.

Mitosis is divided into four phase: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

Meiosis is a process that includes two sequential nuclear divisions, producing haploid daughter nuclei that contain only one member of each pair of homologous chromosomes, thus reducing the number of chromosomes in half.

1. It maintains continuity of living matter generation after generation.

2. Cell division is a mean of cell multiplication or formation new cells from pre existing cells.

3. Cell division is a mean of asexual reproduction in lower organisms.

5. The body of a multicellular organism is formed of innumerable cells. They are formed by repeated division of a single cell or zygote.

6. Growth of an organism involves growth and division of its cells.

7. Cell division helps in maintenance of a particular size which is essential for efficiency and control of cell activities.

8. Cell division is a mean of repair and healing of injured regions of the body. Old or worn out cells are similarly replaced by new ones.

9. Cell division helps in regeneration of a part or whole of the organism.

10. Sexual reproduction requires a special type of cell division called meiosis.

11. Meiosis is a mean of reshuffling traits. It introduces variability.

12. During cell division, there is replication of genetic material. Any change during this activity results in mutations.

13. The common type of cell division or mitosis maintains genetic similarity of all cells in an individual despite their being different structurally and functionally.