Explanation

Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells from one parent cell. Stages: prophase (chromosomes condense), metaphase (align at center), anaphase (separate), telophase (nuclear membranes reform).

Purpose: growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Each daughter cell receives exact copy of parents DNA. A human starts as one cell; mitosis creates the trillions of cells in an adult.

Differs from meiosis (produces gametes with half the chromosomes). Mitosis maintains chromosome number; meiosis halves it. Cancer involves uncontrolled mitosis.