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Why is it important to understand cell division?

At this point in your life, you've probably known at least one person who has faced a fight with cancer, a disease that affects billions of people every year.  Cancer is a serious concern at all levels of society and in every part of the world, though some studies indicate that it is more prevalent in more developed, industrialized countries.

Cancer Cells Dividing
A lung cancer cell during cell division.
Cancer occurs when and where cells that are undergoing cell division suddenly begin to divide more quickly than normal and then keep dividing in an uncontrollable manner. Understanding the steps involved in normal cell division will help you understand how and why cancers develop in humans and other animals.

Researchers who study cancer mostly study the processes of cell division. In essence, they are looking for ways to interfere with the steps a cell takes to become two cells or, in some cases, many cells. For example, Pennsylvania researchers have discovered that raw garlic has the ability to slow down the speed at which some cancer cells multiply.

This lesson will help you visualize and remember the steps or phases of cell division as it occurs in normal cells.

Question

Do all cells divide?

No. For instance, some neurons (nerve cells) in the brain stop dividing after a while. Since these nerve cells are involved in developing memories, memory loss can occur when certain nerve cells that no longer divide are damaged due to injury or disease.