mitosis

[ mahy-toh-sis ]
/ maɪˈtoʊ sɪs /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM mitosis

mi·tot·ic [mahy-tot-ik] /maɪˈtɒt ɪk/, adjective mi·tot·i·cal·ly, adverb in·ter·mi·tot·ic, adjective

Words nearby mitosis

mitochondrion, mitogen, mitogenesis, mitogenetic, mitomycin, mitosis, mitotic figure, mitotic rate, mitotic spindle, mitoxantrone hydrochloride, mitra

Example sentences from the Web for mitoses

  • Mitoses within the red blood discs have been described by different authors, but possess no theoretic or clinical importance.

    Histology of the Blood |Paul Ehrlich

  • With the closure of the wound a sudden fall in the mitoses takes place.

    The Organism as a Whole |Jacques Loeb

British Dictionary definitions for mitoses

mitosis
/ (maɪˈtəʊsɪs, mɪ-) /

noun

a method of cell division, in which the nucleus divides into daughter nuclei, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus Compare prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, meiosis (def. 1)

Derived forms of mitosis

mitotic (maɪˈtɒtɪk, mɪ-), adjective mitotically, adverb

Word Origin for mitosis

C19: from New Latin, from Greek mitos thread

Medical definitions for mitoses

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.

Other words from mitosis

mi•tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk) adj. mi•tot′i•cal•ly adv.

Scientific definitions for mitoses

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.

Other words from mitosis

mitotic adjective (mī-tŏt′ĭk)

Cultural definitions for mitoses

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.)