Cell division is
the process of reproduction for all cells. The cell
life cycle is composed of both a growing phase that
takes up most of the cycle, and the division phase,
also referred to as mitosis. During cell division, the
chromosomes replicate and each side of the side pulls
away one half of the genetic material. The cell membrane
“pinches” in the middle and the single parent
cell creates two daughter cells which are replicas of
the parent cell. Prostate cancer occurs when the prostate
cells skip the growing phase and instead engage in continual
cell division which results in smaller cells that may
have incorrect chromosomal numbers and that do not die.
The result is a tumor which grows on the prostate gland
which may metastasize outside of the gland and into
other parts of the body.
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