mitosis

noun

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mi·to·sis | \ mī-ˈtō-səs

plural mitoses\ mī-ˈtō-ˌsēz

Definition of mitosis

1 : a process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing cell, involves typically a series of steps consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and results in the formation of two new nuclei each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus — compare meiosis

2 : cell division in which mitosis occurs

Examples of mitosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My sons’ high-school biology classes spent more time designing a model recycling center than teaching mitosis and meiosis. — Andy Kessler, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022 Microtubules are a key element of eukaryotic cells that are critical for mitosis, cell motility, transport within cells, and maintaining cell shape. — Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2022 In line with previous studies, Simões et al. found that after inflicting brain injuries, neural stem cells commonly expressed markers of mitosis. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Why was the science teacher hesitant to give a lecture on mitosis? — Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 20 May 2022 Ear Taxi’s sophomore edition comprised dozens of world premieres, some 600 artists, and more than a hundred performances — much of which was streamed for live and post-concert viewing, no mitosis necessary. — Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 6 Oct. 2021 In apomixis, reproductive cells replicate using mitosis, forming genetically identical offspring. — Julia Musto, Fox News, 20 Aug. 2021 In another form of parthenogenesis, apomixis, reproductive cells replicate via mitosis, a process in which the cell duplicates to create two diploid cells—a kind of genetic copy-and-paste. — Corryn Wetzel, National Geographic, 25 Aug. 2020 Think Methodist mitosis rather than scandalous schism. — al, 21 Feb. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mitosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for mitosis

borrowed from German Mitosis (later Mitose), from Greek mítos "length of thread, cord used to separate warp threads" (of uncertain origin) + -ōsis -osis

Note: Term coined by the German biologist Walther Flemming (1843-1905) in Zellsubstanz, Kern und Zelltheilung (Leipzig, 1882), p. 376. Flemming introduces the word first in the compound Karyomitosis as a replacement for Karyokinesis to denote specifically "the metamorphosis of threads in the nucleus" ("Fadenmetamorphose im Kern"). In following sentences he uses the truncated form in the plural Mitosen for mitotic figures ("Kerntheilungsfiguren," i.e, the spindle-shaped figures presented by the chromosomes during mitosis) and in the singular Mitosis for the process of division.