Understanding Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis-3D Animation

The Cell Cycle: How New Cells Are Made

The only way to make new cells is by duplicating existing ones. This duplication and division process is known as the cell cycle. Before the actual division happens, the cell enters a preparation phase called interphase, which includes:

G1 Phase (Gap 1) – Cell growth and preparation
S Phase (Synthesis) – DNA is replicated
G2 Phase (Gap 2) – Final preparations for division

Mitosis: Equational Cell Division

Cells can divide in two ways: mitosis and meiosis. In mitotic cell division (mitosis), the parent cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. The chromosome number remains the same.

For example, in humans, both parent and daughter cells have 46 chromosomes (or 23 pairs). That's why mitosis is also known as equational cell division.

3D Animation: The Cell Cycle & Mitosis

Meiosis: Reducing the Chromosome Number

The other type of cell division, meiosis, occurs only during gametogenesis — the formation of sperm and egg cells. Unlike mitosis, meiosis results in daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes.

In humans, parent cells contain 46 chromosomes, but the resulting sperm or egg cells have only 23 chromosomes. This ensures that when fertilization occurs, the embryo ends up with a complete set of 46 chromosomes.