Final answer:
Mitosis consists of prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and ends with cytokinesis, resulting in two identical daughter cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitosis is a critical process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. This process is subdivided into several phases: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, followed by cytokinesis.
- Prophase: Chromosomes condense and become visible. The nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate, and the mitotic spindle starts to form.
- Prometaphase: Nuclear envelope fully disintegrates, and spindle fibers attach to chromosomes at the kinetochores.
- Metaphase: Chromosomes lineup at the central metaphase plate of the cell, preparing for segregation.
- Anaphase: Sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers towards opposite poles of the cell.
- Telophase: Chromatids arrive at the poles, a new nuclear envelope begins to form around each set of chromosomes, effectively re-establishing two new nuclei.
Lastly, during cytokinesis, the cell's cytoplasm divides, forming two separate daughter cells. The complete process ensures that each daughter cell receives an accurate and complete set of chromosomes.