Meaning & use
mitosis
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablebiology
The process by which a cell divides to form two identical cells, used for growth and repair.
Grammar: Uncountable; do not use 'a' or plural 'mitosises'. Say 'mitosis occurs' or 'during mitosis'.
Patterns
- during mitosis
- mitosis occurs
- the stages of mitosis
Mitosis allows an organism to grow and replace damaged cells.
During mitosis, the chromosomes are copied and then separated.
The teacher explained the stages of mitosis using a diagram.
Common combinations
- cell division by mitosis
- Skin cells reproduce by mitosis.
- the stages of mitosis
- The stages of mitosis include prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
- mitosis occurs
- Mitosis occurs in almost all body cells.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cell division
- A broader term that includes both mitosis and meiosis.
Opposites
Word family
- mitotic adjective
- Relating to mitosis.
Commonly confused: mitosis or meiosis? mitosis or mitochondria?
mitosis vs meiosis
Meiosis produces sex cells with half the number of chromosomes and creates genetic variety; mitosis produces identical body cells.
mitosis vs mitochondria
Mitochondria are energy-producing structures; mitosis is the process of cell division. They are different words.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'mitosis' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Mitosis' is an uncountable noun, so it does not take 'a' or a plural verb. Option 2 correctly uses 'during mitosis' with a singular verb. Option 1 uses a plural verb incorrectly; option 3 treats it as countable; option 4 confuses it with a structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mitosis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.