Mitosis and Cytokinesis

• What is the period of time preceding mitosis called?

  Interphase
• What are the four stages of mitosis?

  1. Prophase
  2. Metaphase
  3. Anaphase
  4. Telophase
• What happens to chromosomes during prophase?

  The chromosomes condense
• What happens to the nuclear membrane during early prophase?

  The nuclear membrane disappears
• What is the role of centrioles during prophase?

  The centrioles separate and start moving to opposite ends of the cell
• What connects the chromatids in prophase?

  A centromere
• What occurs during metaphase?

  • Centrioles are at opposite sides of the cell
  • Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell
  • Each chromosome is connected to a spindle fiber at its centromere
• What happens to the centromeres during anaphase?

  The centromeres divide and sister chromatids move to opposite sides of the cell
• What is the result of the shortening of spindle fibers during anaphase?


  Chromatids are pulled to opposite sides of the cell
• What happens by the end of anaphase?

  The two ends of the cell have complete sets of chromosomes
• What occurs during telophase?

  • The nuclear membrane begins to form
  • The cell begins to pinch in (cleavage furrow)
  • The end result is two cells that are exact copies of each other
• What is cytokinesis?

  The division of the cytoplasm
• When does cytokinesis usually occur?

  Cytokinesis usually occurs at the same time as telophase
• How long does mitosis take?

  Between 30 minutes and 2 hours
• What is the result of one mother cell undergoing mitosis?


  It results in two daughter cells
• How do the daughter cells compare to the mother cell after mitosis?

  The two daughter cells are identical to the mother cell
• What are the results of mitosis in unicellular and multicellular organisms?

  • In unicellular organisms: results in new offspring by asexual reproduction
  • In multicellular organisms: results in growth and repair of the organism
• What is the importance of mitosis?

  • The two new cells are exact duplicates
  • Ensures that the new cells will be able to carry on the same functions as the mother cell