Nuclear and Cell Division

Cell is the unit of biological continuity. New cells cannot be created but can only originate from other living cells. For a multicellular organism, countless divisions of a single-celled zygote produce an organism of extremely high complexity and organization. Each dividing cell (or a mother cell) transmits copies of its genetic material to its daughter cells, and each daughter cell, which now becomes a mother cell, passes along the same genes to another cellular generation. The process by which this occurs is called cell division or cellular reproduction.

In order to complete each cell division successfully, two basic requirements are required. Firstly, the genetic material in both nucleus and organelles of the mother cell must replicate itself completely, and one copy of it must end up in each of the two daughter cells that are formed. This process is called nuclear division or mitosis. Secondly, the cytoplasmic material and membranes must arrange themselves so that there will be two complete cells to receive this genetic material. This process is termed cytokinesis. Elaborate mechanisms have been evolved to ensure that both objectives can be met.

Cell division is more than just a means of reproducing cells; it is also a basis for reproducing more organisms through the formation of cellular gametes, which serves as links between parents and their offspring.