Cell Biology
Mitosis
The process of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. The mechanism by which organisms grow and repair tissue.
Biological Context
Mitosis has distinct phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Checkpoints ensure chromosomes are properly copied and aligned before division proceeds. Cancer often involves mitosis escaping normal controls. An adult human body performs millions of mitotic divisions daily.
Business Application
Organizational mitosis: when teams or business units divide to form two functional units. Like biological mitosis, successful division requires that critical capabilities (DNA) are fully replicated in both units before separation.