Cell Division: How Cells Grow and Reproduce

What is Cell Division?

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more cells.

Cell division usually occurs as part of a larger cell cycle in which the cell grows and replicates its DNA. In unicellular organisms, cell division is the means of reproduction. In multicellular organisms, it is the means of tissue growth and maintenance.

Types of Cell Division

There are several types of cell division depending upon what type of organism is dividing.

• Binary fission is the simplest type of cell division and occurs in prokaryotic cells.
• Mitosis is a more complex type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells and results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.
• Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in eukaryotic cells and results in four daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell.

Regulation of Cell Division

Cells regulate their division by communicating with each other using chemical signals from special proteins called cyclins.

These signals act like switches to tell cells when to start and stop dividing. Cell division is a complex process essential for the growth, development, and reproduction of all living organisms.