GLOSSARY

Cell division is the process by which a cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
Cell division is essential for body growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of worn-out cells, and reproduction.

Two Main Types

Mitosis occurs in somatic cells and produces two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes, genetically identical to the parent cell.
Meiosis occurs only in germ cells and produces four sex cells with half the number of chromosomes, which are genetically different.
Before both types of division, the cell grows and duplicates its DNA during interphase, and after the chromosomes separate, the cytoplasm divides by cytokinesis