Mitosis

Mitosis is the process, in the cell cycle, by which the chromosomes in the cell nucleus are separated into two identical sets of chromosomes, each in its own nucleus. In general, mitosis is followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the cytoplasm, organelles, and cell membrane, and later karyokinesis, which divides the nucleus, dividing the cell into two new cells containing roughly equal shares of these cellular components

There are six phases of mitosis. Each phase is used to describe what kind of change the cell is going through. The phases are interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. Some may consider pro-metaphase as part of the phases but most believe it is part of metaphase and some of prophase. Each phase is important to mitosis.

Interphase

The chromosomes cannot be seen but they duplicate the DNA and double in mass when it starts to copy its own DNA.

Prophase

During prophase, chromosomes in the nucleus condense, pairs of centrioles move to opposite sides of the nucleus, spindle fibers form a bridge between the ends of the cell, the nuclear envelope breaks down and the nucleus begins to disappear.

Metaphase

During metaphase, the chromosomes are pulled by microtubules called spindle fibers into place. The chromosomes line up on the cell's equator, or center line, and are prepared for division.

Anaphase

During anaphase the chromosomes move from the cell's equator (metaphase plate) to their respective poles of the cell. The cell begins to stretch out as the opposite ends are pushed apart.

Telophase

 

Telophase is the final stage in mitosis, as the cell itself is ready to divide. One complete set of chromosomes is now at each pole of the cell. The spindle fibers begin to disappear, and a nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes. Also a nucleolus appears within each new nucleus and single stranded chromosomes uncoil into invisible strands of chromatin.

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