The five phases of mitosis: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Mitosis is a fundamental process of cell division that ensures the accurate distribution of genetic material to daughter cells.
The five phases of mitosis are prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Prophase: In this initial phase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate.
The mitotic spindle, composed of microtubules, forms and extends between the two centrosomes.
The centrosomes move to opposite poles of the cell.
Prometaphase: The nuclear envelope fully disassembles, allowing the mitotic spindle to interact with the chromosomes.
Microtubules attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes, and the chromosomes become more condensed.
This phase marks the transition from prophase to metaphase.
Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the cell's equator, known as the metaphase plate.
The spindle fibers ensure that each chromatid is correctly attached to microtubules from opposite poles, ensuring equal distribution of genetic material to daughter cells.
Anaphase: The centromeres split, and sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles by shortening microtubules.
This phase ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.
Telophase: Chromatids arrive at opposite poles and de-condense back into chromatin.
The nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, creating two distinct nuclei.
Mitosis is complete, and the cell proceeds to cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.
These five phases collectively ensure the accurate replication and distribution of genetic material during cell division, contributing to growth, repair, and maintenance of multicellular organisms.