Cell Division

Mitosis is the division of body cells to produce new cells.

Mitosis occurs:

• for growth
• for repair
• in asexual reproduction

Before the cell divides, a copy of each chromosome is made.

The new cell contains exactly the same genetic information as the parent cell:

eg. the same number of chromosomes and the same genes.

It occurs in the testes and ovaries.

Cells in these organs divide to produce the gametes for sexual reproduction

During fertilisation, both gametes join.

One chromosome comes from each parent.

A single body cell with new pairs of chromosomes is formed. 

The cells divides repeatedly by mitosis to form a new individual. = variation