Cell cycle and cell division

• What is the longest stage of mitosis?

  Prophase
• What happens to chromatin during prophase?

  It condenses and becomes visible as chromosomes
• What shape do replicated chromosomes take during prophase?

  X shape
• What are sister chromatids?

  Replicated chromosomes joined at the centromere
• What happens to the nuclear envelope during late prophase?

  It disintegrates
• What disappears during late prophase?

  The nucleolus
• What happens to centrioles during prophase?

  They separate and move to the poles
• What starts to form during prophase?

  Mitotic spindle
• What are the key events that occur during prophase?

  1. Chromatin condenses
  2. Sister chromatids form
  3. Nuclear envelope disintegrates
  4. Nucleolus disappears
  5. Centrioles separate and move to poles
  6. Mitotic spindle starts to form
• What are microtubules and their role during metaphase?

  Long protein filaments that attach to centromeres
• What happens to chromatids during metaphase?

  They move to the equator of the cell
• What is absent during metaphase?

  No nucleolus or nuclear envelope present
• What are the key events that occur during metaphase?

  1. Chromatids move to the equator
  2. Chromatids align on the equator
  3. Spindle attaches to centromeres
  4. No nucleolus or nuclear envelope present
• What happens to sister chromatids during anaphase?

  They are separated into identical chromosomes
• Why is anaphase considered the shortest stage of mitosis?

  Because it quickly separates sister chromatids
• How does anaphase ensure identical chromosome sets in daughter cells?

  By separating sister chromatids into chromosomes
• What pulls sister chromatids to the poles during anaphase?

  Contraction of spindle fibers
• What happens to centromeres during anaphase?

  They divide
• What are the key events that occur during anaphase?

  1. Sister chromatids are separated into chromosomes
  2. Chromosomes are pulled to poles
  3. Centromeres divide