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mitosis

[mahy-toh-sis]
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noun Cell Biology.

the usual method of cell division, characterized typically by the resolving of the chromatin of the nucleus into a threadlike form, which condenses into chromosomes, each of which separates longitudinally into two parts, one part of each chromosome being retained in each of two new cells resulting from the original cell.
Compare meiosis.

Origin of mitosis

1885–90; < Greek mít(os) a thread + -osis
Related formsmi·tot·ic [mahy-tot-ik] /maɪˈtɒt ɪk/, adjectivemi·tot·i·cal·ly, adverbin·ter·mi·tot·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for mitosis

amitosis, meiosis, mitosis

Examples from the Web for mitosis

Historical Examples of mitosis

British Dictionary definitions for mitosis

mitosis

noun

a method of cell division, in which the nucleus divides into daughter nuclei, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleusCompare prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, meiosis (def. 1)
Derived Formsmitotic (maɪˈtɒtɪk, mɪ-), adjectivemitotically, adverb

Word Origin for mitosis

C19: from New Latin, from Greek mitos thread
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for mitosis
n.

1887, coined in German from Greek mitos "warp thread" (see mitre) + Modern Latin -osis "act, process." Term introduced by German anatomist Walther Fleming (1843-1905) in 1882. So called because chromatin of the cell nucleus appears as long threads in the first stages.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
mitosis in Medicine

mitosis

[mī-tō′sĭs]

n. pl. mi•to•ses (-sēz)

The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, typically in four stages (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) resulting in two new nuclei, each of which has exactly the same chromosome and DNA content as the original cell.indirect nuclear division karyokinesis mitotic division
The entire process of cell division including division of the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
Related formsmi•tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk) adj.mi•tot′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
mitosis in Science

mitosis

[mī-tō′sĭs]

The process in cell division in eukaryotes in which the nucleus divides to produce two new nuclei, each having the same number and type of chromosomes as the original. Prior to mitosis, each chromosome is replicated to form two identical strands (called chromatids). As mitosis begins, the chromosomes line up along the center of the cell by attaching to the fibers of the cell spindle. The pairs of chromatids then separate, each strand of a pair moving to an opposite end of the cell. When a new membrane forms around each of the two groups of chromosomes, division of the nucleus is complete. The four main phases of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Compare meiosis.
Related formsmitotic adjective (mī-tŏt′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
mitosis in Culture

mitosis

[(meye-toh-sis)]

Division of a single cell into two identical “daughter” cells. Each daughter cell has an identical number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Mitosis begins when the DNA in the parent cell replicates itself; it ends with two cells having the same genes (see genetics). Most cells in the human body, and all single-celled organisms, reproduce through mitosis. (Compare meiosis.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.