Mitosis Phases

Cell cycle

                   Growth stage

                    Cell division 

                              Mitosis

                              Cytokinesis

 

1.- Prophase

-         Strands of DNA condense and thicken to become visible duplicated chromosomes.

-         Each chromosome consists of two identical chromatids held together by a centromere.

-         Nuclear membrane disappears.

-         Spindle fibres start to form between two centrioles at each pole.

2.- Metaphase

-         A spindle fibre from each pole attaches  to each sister chromatid at the centromere.

-         Spindle fibres align the chromosomes along the cell’s equator (middle of the cell).

3.- Anaphase

-         The centromere splits apart.

-         Each daughter chromosome is pulled to opposite poles by the spindle fibres.

4.- Telophase

-         Telophase begins when the chromatids reach the opposite poles.

-         The chromosomes become less visible.

-         A new nuclear membrane forms around each groups of daughter chromosomes.