Why mitosis is important

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In short

Mitosis is important for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. A multicellular organism grows by making more genetically identical cells by mitosis. Damaged or worn-out cells, for example in cut skin, are replaced by mitosis. In asexual reproduction one parent produces genetically identical offspring by mitosis, with no mixing of genetic information.

Mitosis is important in three ways.

Growth: a multicellular organism grows by making more cells by mitosis. All the new cells are genetically identical, so they have the same instructions.
Repair: damaged or worn-out cells are replaced with new cells made by mitosis, for example when skin is cut.
Asexual reproduction: one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to it. The offspring are made by mitosis, so there is no mixing of genetic information.

Exam tip:

Asexual reproduction needs only one parent and gives genetically identical offspring. Say both if the question asks you to describe it.

Written and checked against the Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) specification · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions

What are the stages of mitosis?

The stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. In prophase the chromosomes become visible and the nuclear membrane breaks down. In metaphase they line up at the equator. In anaphase spindle fibres pull the copies apart. In telophase new nuclear membranes form. Cytokinesis then divides the cytoplasm.

Is interphase a resting stage?

No, interphase is not a resting stage. Although the cell is not dividing, it is very busy. It grows, makes more of its sub-cellular structures and copies its DNA, so that each chromosome is made of two identical copies called chromatids. This gets the cell ready for mitosis.

Why is mitosis important?

Mitosis is important because it produces genetically identical cells for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Organisms grow by making more cells by mitosis, damaged or worn-out cells, such as those in cut skin, are replaced, and in asexual reproduction one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to it.

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