Final answer:
The process described is mitosis, which is a phase of the cell cycle where the mother cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. Mitosis includes stages like prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase followed by cytokinesis and represents about ten percent of the cell cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process being characterized in the student's question is mitosis, which is a vital part of the cell cycle. During the cell cycle, a cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and divides to form two daughter cells. As stated, about ten percent of the cell cycle is dedicated to the actual division phase, known as mitosis. Mitosis consists of several stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase followed by cytokinesis. Each stage ensures that the genetic material is accurately separated and that each new cell is identical to the mother cell.
In prophase, the chromosomes condense, and the nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate. During metaphase, the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. Anaphase follows as the chromosomes are pulled apart and move to opposite ends of the cell. Finally, in telophase and cytokinesis, the cell pinches in the middle to form two daughter cells, each with a complete set of chromosomes. The nucleus re-forms, and the cell returns to its interphase state where normal cell activities resume until the next round of mitosis. Mitosis is crucial for the growth and repair of an organism. For example, when you get a cut, cells surrounding the wound will undergo mitosis to replace the damaged cells. This ensures that from the time an organism is a single cell to when it fully grows into an adult, cells can divide without losing any genetic information.