3.2.2 Cell cycle and mitosis

• Interphase- first phase of the cell cycle, cell grows and replicates its DNA, preparing for cell division
• Mitosis- the process of cell division, two identical daughter cells made, four main phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
• Prophase- chromosomes condense, mitotic spindle forms, nuclear envelope breaks down, chromosomes are released
• Metaphase- mitotic spindle attach and capture chromosomes, chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell
• Anaphase- sister chromatids separated and moved to opposite ends of the cell by centrioles
• Telophase- mitotic spindle breaks down, nuclear envelope forms two new nuclei, chromosomes decondense
• Cytokinesis- cell membrane pinches, cytoplasm divides, two identical daughter cells formed
• Mitotic index- number of cells with condensed chromosomes/total number of cells
• Counting style- whole cells counted, consistent approach for part cells, repeat counts with different views