Cellular Division

Definition

Cellular division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Analogy

Imagine cellular division as baking cookies from dough. You start with one large piece of dough (the parent cell), then you divide it into smaller pieces (daughter cells) that are all separate but made from the same material.

Related terms

Mitosis: This type of cellular division results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell, much like cutting cookie dough into equal parts.

Meiosis: A type of cellular division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It's akin to dividing cookie dough into smaller portions than mitosis does.

Cytokinesis: The final stage in cell division where cytoplasm divides between daughter cells. It's like when you finally separate your cut pieces of cookie dough on your baking sheet.