The four general phases of Mitosis explained
Mitosis has four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
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Transcript
The process of mitosis is continuous, but it is possible to identify four general phases, each characterized by specific activity.
In the first phase—prophase—a centriole, located outside the nucleus, divides. The long, threadlike material of the nucleus coils up into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear membrane disappears. From the centrioles, long, thin strands extend in all directions. Many of these from one centriole join with strands from the other to form the spindle.
The second phase of mitosis is metaphase, in which the chromosomes move into the equatorial plane of the spindle.
As the third phase—anaphase—begins, the chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the cell. Once the chromatids separate, they are called chromosomes. In this way a complete set of chromosomes migrates toward each centriole.
In the last phase—telophase—the cell divides. The changes now taking place are the reverse of those that occurred during prophase: the chromosomes uncoil, new membranes form around the nuclei, and the fibers of the spindle disappear. The cell has divided, and the two identical cells are now ready to begin their first period of growth.
In the first phase—prophase—a centriole, located outside the nucleus, divides. The long, threadlike material of the nucleus coils up into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear membrane disappears. From the centrioles, long, thin strands extend in all directions. Many of these from one centriole join with strands from the other to form the spindle.
The second phase of mitosis is metaphase, in which the chromosomes move into the equatorial plane of the spindle.
As the third phase—anaphase—begins, the chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the cell. Once the chromatids separate, they are called chromosomes. In this way a complete set of chromosomes migrates toward each centriole.
In the last phase—telophase—the cell divides. The changes now taking place are the reverse of those that occurred during prophase: the chromosomes uncoil, new membranes form around the nuclei, and the fibers of the spindle disappear. The cell has divided, and the two identical cells are now ready to begin their first period of growth.