Mitosis in unicellular organisms serves as a form of asexual reproduction.
Mitosis: Asexual Reproduction in Single-Celled Organisms
For unicellular organisms, mitosis isn't about growth or repair as it is in multicellular organisms. Instead, it is the primary method by which these organisms reproduce. The provided reference explicitly states, "In single-celled organisms, mitosis is seen as the process of asexual reproduction." This means one cell divides into two identical daughter cells, effectively creating two new organisms from the original one.
Key Functions in Unicellular Organisms
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Asexual Reproduction | Single-celled organisms use mitosis to create identical copies. |
- Asexual Reproduction: Mitosis allows a single unicellular organism to quickly and efficiently create genetically identical offspring. This is particularly advantageous in stable environments where the existing genetic makeup is well-suited.
Example
Consider a single-celled organism like Amoeba. When it reaches a certain size or encounters favorable conditions, it undergoes mitosis. The nucleus divides, followed by the division of the cytoplasm (cytokinesis), resulting in two identical Amoeba cells. Each of these new cells is a complete, independent organism.
