Before mitosis, a cell copies its genome by duplicating every chromosome, each of which forms two identical sister chromatids joined at a specialized region called the centromere . During mitosis, sister chromatids are pulled apart forming two complete chromosome sets, one at each end of the cell. Cytoplasmic division that forms two separate daughter cells, each containing a single nucleus. Well-ordered sequence of events between the time a cell divides to form two daughter cells and the time those daughter cells divide. Includes a doubling of a cell's cytoplasm, reproduction of cellular organelles, precise duplication of DNA, mitosis and cytokinesis.
Duration varies with cell type.
Some cells divide each hour, others take more than 24 hours. Nerve and muscle cells never or rarely divide once they are formed. Mitosis - division of the nucleus. Cytokinesis - division of the cytoplasm. Interphase , the nondividing phase, includes most of a cell's growth and metabolic activities.