Interphase

Interphase is the stage of the cell cycle in which a cell prepares for division. The cell grows and carries out its normal activities while building up the material needed to form two new cells.

During interphase, the cell also copies its DNA. Each chromosome is duplicated, producing two identical copies that will be separated during mitosis. This copying does not happen during mitosis itself: it must be completed beforehand.

Growth supplies material for the new cells, while DNA copying makes a complete set of genetic information available for each one. Interphase therefore prepares the cell for mitosis, when the duplicated chromosomes are separated.

Cytokinesis

After a cell’s nucleus has divided by mitosis, the two new nuclei are still within the same cell. Cytokinesis separates that cell into two.

During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm divides and the cell membrane separates to form two daughter cells. Each daughter cell contains one of the nuclei formed during mitosis.

Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division: it turns the division of one nucleus into the formation of two separate cells.

Mitosis

Mitosis is the division of a cell’s nucleus to produce two nuclei with the same genetic information. It is usually followed by division of the rest of the cell, producing two genetically identical daughter cells.

Before mitosis, each chromosome is replicated, producing two identical copies joined together. During mitosis, the copies separate and move to opposite ends of the cell. A nucleus forms around each set, so each daughter cell receives the same genetic information and the same number of chromosomes as the original cell.

What mitosis enables

Mitosis increases cell number for growth. It also produces new cells to repair damaged tissues and replace cells that are lost or worn out.

In asexual reproduction, a single parent produces offspring without the joining of sex cells. Mitosis produces genetically identical cells, so the offspring have the same genetic information as the parent.