Mitosis - histology illustration

Overview of the major events in mitosis. Mitosis is the process by which the diploid nucleus (having two sets of homologous chromosomes) of a somatic cell divides to produce two daughter nuclei, both of which are still diploid. The left-hand side of the drawing demonstrates how the parent cell duplicates its chromosomes (one red and one blue), providing the daughter cells with a complete copy of genetic information. Next, the chromosomes align at the equatorial plate, and the centromeres divide. The sister chromatids then separate, becoming two diploid daughter cells, each with one red and one blue chromosome.