1.)
- Somatic Cell Division (Mitosis)
Somatic cells go through a type of cell division called mitosis, wherein a mother cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Most cells in one's body consists of cells made during cell division, with importance being placed on the exact replication of chromosomes, as too little or too many chromosomes will cause malfunction in the cells.
In mitosis, the cell will go through four process, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. The actual division (called cytokinesis) occurs during either anaphase or telophase, and at the end of it, two new cells will have been formed.
This process is important since it is responsible for the creation of new cells and the replacement of old/damaged body cells. Overall, it helps the body grow and develop.
- Reproductive Cell Division (Meiosis)
Meanwhile, reproductive cell division, or simply meiosis, produces gametes (sex cells, like sperm and eggs). Unlike mitosis, wherein the goal is to replicate the exact number of chromosomes, the goal of meiosis is to create two daughter cells with half the chromosomes of the mother cell (basically, one set of chromosomes each).
Though the processes are similar to mitosis, meiosis happens in two phases: meiosis I and meiosis II. This happens because cell division needs to occur twice in order for each daughter cell to only have one set of chromosomes.
By the end of the process, either egg cells (female) or sperm cells (male) are formed. This process is important since gametes allow for humans to reproduce/recreate (when an egg cell is fertilized by a sperm cell).
2.) Interphase happens before cell division. Simply put, it is a sort of "growth phase" that cells go through before going through cell division. While a cell is in interphase (which is for the majority of its time in the cell cycle), it grows, has its chromosomes and nucleus replicated, makes proteins and organelles, etc. This stage is important because without it, the cell would not have enough proteins to go through mitosis, nor would it have the replicated chromosomes to be divided in cell division. Thus, it is a necessary step in the cell cycle.