Cells divide in a series of stages called the cell cycle. Students should be able to describe the stages of the cell cycle, including mitosis. • Before a cell can divide it needs to grow and increase the number of sub-cellular structures such as ribosomes and mitochondria. The DNA replicates to form two copies of each chromosome. • In mitosis one set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell and the nucleus divides. • Finally the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells. • Cell division by mitosis is important in the growth and development of multicellular organisms. • Students should be able to recognise and describe situations in given contexts where mitosis is occurring.