Somatic cells primarily undergo mitosis to support growth, repair, and maintenance in multicellular organisms.

This process ensures genetic stability by producing identical daughter cells. Mitosis occurs exclusively in eukaryotic cells, not prokaryotes like bacteria.

Cells That Undergo Mitosis

  • Somatic (body) cells : Skin, muscle, liver, and other non-reproductive tissues divide via mitosis for everyday functions like healing wounds or replacing dead cells.
  • Stem cells : These multipotent cells in bone marrow or skin layers use mitosis to replenish specialized cell types throughout life.
  • Certain plant cells : Meristematic tissues in roots and shoots actively divide mitotically for growth.
  • Fungal and algal cells : Coenocytic forms may undergo mitosis without full cytokinesis, creating multinucleated structures.

Exceptions include germ cells (sperm/egg precursors), which favor meiosis for genetic diversity, and post-mitotic cells like mature neurons or cardiac muscle that rarely divide.

Why Mitosis Matters

Mitosis replicates DNA during the S-phase of interphase, followed by precise chromosome segregation in prophase through telophase. This maintains chromosome number (e.g., 46 in humans) across generations of cells. Disruptions, like in cancer, lead to uncontrolled division such as multipolar or asymmetrical mitosis.

"Nuclear division takes place only in cells of organisms of the eukaryotic domain."

Real-World Examples

In humans, skin regenerates via mitotic division of basal epithelial cells—losing about 50 million daily requires constant replacement. Plants grow taller through apical meristem mitosis, while megakaryocytes in blood production use endomitosis (mitosis without cytokinesis) for platelet formation.

TL;DR : Mitosis powers division in somatic, stem, and growth-related eukaryotic cells for stability and renewal, skipping germ cells and most neurons.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.