Final answer:
DNA synthesis does not occur during mitosis; it happens during the S phase of interphase. Mitosis involves chromosome condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown, spindle formation, and sister chromatid separation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that does NOT happen during mitosis is the synthesis of DNA. Mitosis is a phase in the cell cycle where a eukaryotic cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. However, DNA replication occurs during the S phase of interphase, not within the stages of mitosis itself. During mitosis, the following events occur: chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, the spindle apparatus forms, and sister chromatids are separated into daughter cells.
More specifically, the stages of mitosis in order include:
- Prophase: Chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.
- Prometaphase: The nuclear envelope completely breaks down and the spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores of chromosomes.
- Metaphase: Sister chromatids align at the metaphase plate in the center of the cell.
- Anaphase: The cohesin proteins are cleaved, and sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite poles as the spindle fibers shorten.
- Telophase: Nuclear envelopes re-form around the separated sister chromatids, now considered individual chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to decondense.
- Cytokinesis (often associated with telophase): This is when the division of the cytoplasm occurs, resulting in two daughter cells.