Why is mitosis called equational division?

Mitosis is often referred to as equational division because it results in the production of two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This term highlights the fact that the genetic content of the daughter cells remains constant throughout the process of mitosis, with no change in ploidy.

During mitosis, the replicated chromosomes in the parent cell are evenly distributed between the two daughter cells, ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete and identical set of chromosomes. This process occurs in several stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

In prophase, the replicated chromosomes condense and become visible under the microscope. During metaphase, the condensed chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, a plane located equidistant between the two poles of the cell. In anaphase, the sister chromatids of each chromosome separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. Finally, in telophase, the separated chromatids arrive at the poles, and nuclear envelopes reform around them, resulting in the formation of two distinct daughter nuclei.

Throughout these stages, the genetic material is distributed equally between the daughter cells, resulting in two genetically identical cells. Unlike meiosis, which involves a reduction in ploidy and results in the formation of haploid daughter cells, mitosis preserves the ploidy level of the parent cell, leading to equational division.

Therefore, mitosis is called equational division because it maintains the equilibrium of genetic material between the parent cell and its daughter cells, ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the genetic material present in the parent cell.