Cell Division:

It is a cyclic process in which the division of nucleus is followed by division of cytoplasm as a result daughter cells are formed.

Cell Cycle:

All the changes that take place during cell growth and cell division are called cell cycle. Cell cycle can be divided into following phases

• Interphase: The stage when cell becomes ready to divide is called interphase. It is subdivided into G1 Phase, G2 Phase, S Phase
• Karyokinesis: It is the process of division of nucleus. It is subdivided into Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.
• Cytokinesis: It is the process of division of cytoplasm.

Types of Cell Division:

1. Amitosis cell division or direct cell division: This cell division takes place in prokaryotic and unicellular eukaryotic animals. During the process, the nucleus becomes elongated. The nucleus divides into two nuclei by forming constrictions. The cytoplasm also divides into two parts and the cell membrane is also constricted. Thus two daughter cells are formed.

2. Mitosis cell division: The process of cell division in which al the chromosomes replicate and separate into two groups having equal number of chromosomes as their parent cell. Thus two nuclei are formed. 

3. Meiosis Cell Division: The process of cell division which takes place in a diploid cell and produces four haploid cell is meiosis cell division i.e. Each cell having half the number of chromosomes as that of parent cell.

• Meiosis I: The meiosis I the division is called reductional division or heterotypic division because the cell divides into two daughter cells having chromosome number half in two daughter cells as that present in the mother cell.
• Meiosis II: It is called equational division or homotypical division because the cells produced after meiosis I undergo further division to produce four cells where chromosome number remains same as that of parent cells, similar to mitosis.