Mitosis

• Order of the stages of mitosis

  Prophase

  Metaphase

  Anaphase

  Telophase
• Structure of a chromosome


  Each chromosome consists of two sister chromatids which are attached to each other at the centromere
• Prophase


  • Chromosomes condense
  • Nucleolus breaks down
  • Centrioles pull apart to form spindle fibres
• Metaphase


  • Nuclear membrane breaks down
  • Centrioles moved to opposite poles of cell
  • Chromatids line up along equator of cell
  • Spindle fibres attach to each centromere
• Anaphase


  • Sister chromatids separate at the centromere - divides in two
  • Chromatids from each pair are drawn towards opposite poles of the cell by spindle fibres - the two sets of chromatids are separated
• Telophase


  • Spindle fibres break down
  • Nuclear envelopes form around the sets of chromosomes
  • Nucleolus and centrioles re-form
  • Chromosomes unravel and decondense
• What is the equator of the cell also referred to as?

  Metaphase plate