Mitosis: The Dance of Cell Division

Mitosis is the process in which a cell divides and creates two identical daughter cells. There are four main stages of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Prophase

In prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear membrane disappears. The centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell and spindle fibers begin to form.

Metaphase

During metaphase, the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell along the metaphase plate. The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Anaphase

In anaphase, the sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. The spindle fibers help in pulling the chromosomes apart.

Telophase

During telophase, the chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell and begin to de-condense back into chromatin. A new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes.

Finally, in cytokinesis, the cytoplasm divides, and two new daughter cells are formed. Each daughter cell contains an identical set of chromosomes to the parent cell.