Not all cells in the human body undergo mitosis. The primary types of cells that do not undergo mitosis include:
- Neurons (Nerve Cells): Once fully developed, neurons do not divide. They are in a state called the G0 phase, which is a resting phase where the cell is not preparing to divide.
- Cardiac Muscle Cells: These cells also do not undergo mitosis. The heart muscle cells you are born with are the same ones you will have throughout your life, although they can increase in size.
- Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes): Mature red blood cells do not have a nucleus and therefore cannot undergo mitosis. They are produced in the bone marrow from stem cells.
- Striated Muscle Cells: Similar to cardiac muscle cells, these cells do not divide. Instead, they grow by increasing in size.
These cells are either in a permanent state of rest or have specialized functions that do not require cell division. Instead, they are replaced through other mechanisms, such as stem cell differentiation.