Why is mitosis important to plants and animals?

If you've ever looked at a plant or animal and tried to count the cell nuclei, you've noticed that there are usually many more in a single tissue. The more cells you have, the more important it is for them to divide. Plant and animal cells reproduce by a process called cell division. During this process, the cell duplicates its own contents and splits into two daughter cells. This process allows an organism to grow larger and larger or to repair damaged or aging cells.

Why is mitosis important to animals?

cells that make up the body of an adult animal undergo constant cell division throughout the body to replace cells that have been lost through injury or disease. These dividing cells are called “stem cells” because they can differentiate into any type of cell in the body.

Why is mitosis needed in plants?

Individual plant cells are incredibly important for a plant's growth and reproduction. A single plant cell can contain all of the genetic material that a plant needs to carry out the functions of a plant. To keep plants growing and reproducing, plant cells must divide. In plants, a cell's division includes two phases: the cell division phase and the mitotic cell division phase.

Why is mitosis needed for animals?

In order to grow and reproduce, animals must create new cells. All animals, except for some single-celled organisms, undergo cell division. Some animal cells divide asexually, when a new cell is created by a single cell. Other cells, called germ cells, can develop into a new organism. This process is called sexual reproduction, and it allows an organism to pass on its genetic information to the next generation.

Why is mitosis important to plants?

Plant reproduction is usually asexual, meaning that either all the plant’s sperm or all the plant’s eggs are produced within the plant. However, sexual reproduction does occur in some plant species. When self-fertilization is inefficient and reproduction requires two parents, the resulting offspring are more genetically diverse. Plant cells reproduce by mitosis, so this helps to increase the diversity of the plant’s genes.