2.2.2

Stages of Mitosis

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Stages of Mitosis

In mitosis, chromosomes go through prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Interphase happens just before mitosis.

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Interphase

  • The cell prepares to divide.
  • DNA is replicated by semi-conservative replication. There are now two copies of every chromosome.
  • The organelles are also replicated.
  • More ATP is produced to be used in cell division.
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Prophase

  • The nuclear envelope breaks down and the nucleolus disappears. Chromosomes are left floating in the cytoplasm.
  • The chromosomes coil more tightly and become shorter and fatter. They can be seen under a light microscope.
  • Small protein bundles called centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell.
  • Microtubules form the mitotic spindle between the centrioles.
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Metaphase

  • The chromosomes line up along the mid-line of the cell.
  • In metaphase, the chromosomes are maximally condensed.
  • They are attached to the spindle by the centromere.
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Anaphase

  • The chromosomes break into two chromatids. The sister chromatids separate at the centromere.
  • The spindles contract and pull the chromatids to each pole of the cell.
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Telophase

  • The chromatids reach the opposite poles and begin to decondense (unravel), becoming chromosomes again.
  • Nuclear envelopes form around the chromosomes so there are now two nuclei.
  • The cytoplasm splits and two daughter cells are formed. The daughter cells are identical to the original cell and to each other.
  • The cell cycle starts again.
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Way to remember the stages:

  • I (interphase).
  • Picked (prophase).
  • My (metaphase).
  • Apples (anaphase).
  • Today (telophase).

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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