Nuclear Division

Cancer Terms -> Biological Process -> Cellular Process -> Cell Division Process -> Nuclear Division

Nuclear Division Definition

A cell division process consisting of a complex series of events or phases (prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) by means of which two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the chromosomes and DNA content characteristic of the original somatic cells of the species. Part of the process by which the body grows and replaces cells. Although used interchangeably with cell division, strictly speaking the term mitosis refers to nuclear division; cytokinesis refers to division of the cytoplasm. In some cells, as in many fungi and the fertilized eggs of many insects, nuclear division occurs within the cell unaccompanied by division of the cytoplasm and formation of daughter cells. (NCI)