Mitosis

• Stages of mitosis in order: I.P.M.A.T

  • Interphase
  • Prophase
  • Metaphase
  • Anaphase
  • Telophase
• Mitosis is the part of the cell cycle in which a eukaryotic cell divides to produce two daughter cells, each with the identical copies of DNA produced by the parent cell during DNA replication
• 1st stage: INTERPHASE

  • Grows, replicates chromosomes and organelles, prepares for cell division
  • The chromosomes are not visible because the DNA is uncondensed
  • The nucleolus is still visible and the nuclear envelope is still intact
• 2nd Stage: PROPHASE

  • The chromosomes condense
  • The nucleolus disappears, the nuclear envelope begins to break down
  • The centrioles move to the poles of the cell and begin to produce spindle fibres which start to extend towards the chromosomes
• 3rd stage: METAPHASE

  • The nuclear membrane has disappeared
  • Spindle fires have attached to the centromere of the chromosomes
  • Chromosomes are pulled to the middle/equator of the cell where they line up
• 4th stage: ANAPHASE

  • The spindle fibres contract
  • The centromere of each chromosome splits in half so that one chromatid from each chromosome can be pulled to opposite poles of the cell
• Role of spindle fibres: Separate the chromosomes

  • The spindle fibres attach to chromosomes during metaphase and pull the chromatids towards opposite poles during anaphase
• 5th (final) stage: TELOPHASE

  • The nuclear envelopes begin to reform around each new group of chromosomes
  • The chromosomes begin to uncoil/unravel and become less distinct
  • The cytoplasm begins to divide to form two new genetically identical daughter cells