Hereditary information is encoded in particular sequences of nucleotides. DNA replication begins when the double helix unwinds and melts. DNA replication requires enzymes and energized nucleotides. Binary fission is a relatively simple cell division process that occurs in most prokaryotic cells. Mitosis follows interphase, the predominate part of a cell's life, which involves active metabolism, growth, and synthesis.
Mitosis is described as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Telophase may or may not be followed by cytokinesis. Mitosis followed by cytokinesis results in two identical diploid cells. Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides, at a particular location on the chromosome, which carry information for inheritable traits. Alleles are slightly different molecular forms of a gene which specify different versions of the same trait. When homologous chromosomes are separated during meiosis, their paired genes are also separated, and end up in different gametes.