Natural Science 2 (NAS 2) Challenge Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Exam!

Mitosis is fundamentally characterized by the division of a cell's nucleus, leading to the equal distribution of genetic material into two daughter nuclei. This process occurs in several distinct phases—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase—during which the chromosomes are aligned, separated, and ultimately contained within two new nuclear membranes. This ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes, maintaining genetic consistency across cell generations.

While replication of genetic material is an important aspect of cell division, it actually occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle prior to mitosis rather than during the mitosis process itself. Additionally, the formation of gametes pertains specifically to meiosis, which produces sperm and egg cells with half the chromosome number, and cellular communication is unrelated to the actual process of mitosis. Thus, the description of mitosis entirely centers on the division of the nucleus, making the chosen answer appropriate.