Question

Give brief account of somatic cell division.

Answer 1

Somatic cell division is the type of cell division where the daughter cells produced are exactly similar to the parent cell. They have the same chromosomal number as the parent cell. Mitosis occurs in all the somatic cells of the body. The phases of mitosis are:

1. Prophase: During this phase the nuclear membrane disappears and chromosomes appear. Centrioles move to the opposite corners and spindle fibre formation starts.

2. Metaphase: In this phase the chromosomes line up in the centre of the cell forming the equatorial plate. Spindle fibres attached to the centromere of the chromosomes.

3. Anaphase: In this phase spindle fibres are pulled back and sister chromatids of chromosomes are separated and move to the opposite ends of the cell.

4. Telophase: Nuclear membrane reappears around the chromosomes at both the ends, so two nucleuses are there by the end of this phase.

5. Cytokinesis: The cell divides forming two daughter cells containing one nucleus in each.