Final answer:
The process by which a cell increases its number through mitotic cell division is called cell division, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells. This process includes four stages of mitosis followed by cytokinesis, and it's a fundamental aspect of organismal growth and tissue maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a cell undergoes a process to increase in number through mitotic division, this is called cell division. Specifically, the division of somatic cells by mitosis results in two genetically identical daughter cells. This process involves a series of precisely timed and carefully regulated stages of growth, DNA replication, and division that produce two genetically identical cells. This type of cell division is a form of asexual reproduction and is essential for growth and development as well as the maintenance of the organism's body.
There are four distinct stages of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. After these stages of nuclear division, the process of cytokinesis occurs, which divides the cytoplasm of the original cell, completing the creation of two new cells. The cell cycle includes these stages and is involved in the regulatory process of cell growth and division, ensuring that each new cell receives a complete set of the organism's DNA.
The cell cycle is important for understanding how a single cell can give rise to numerous cells. It comprises two phases: interphase, where the cell prepares for division by growing and replicating its DNA, and the subsequent mitotic phase which includes mitosis and cytokinesis.
In multicellular organisms, these processes lead to the development of a multicellular body from a single cell, such as a fertilized egg, and contribute to the repair and regeneration of tissues. It is a key concept in biology that explains how organisms grow and maintain their structural integrity.