Mitosis and Binary Fission Terms

Prophase

First stage of mitosis; chromatin condenses, sister chromatids join at the centromere, and the nucleolus disappears.

Metaphase

Second stage of mitosis; chromosomes align in the middle of the cell and are attached to spindle microtubules.

Anaphase

Third stage of mitosis; sister chromatids separate, becoming daughter chromosomes, and move toward opposite poles.

Telophase

Final stage of mitosis; chromosomes reach the poles, the spindle disappears, and two nuclear envelopes form.

Cytokinesis

Process that completes cell division by dividing the cytoplasm into two daughter cells. (creates cell wall in plants)

Binary Fission

Main strategy of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes; involves DNA replication and division into two identical cells.

Cell Elongation

The step in binary fission where the cell stretches as chromosomes are positioned at opposite ends.

Amoeba Binary Fission

Process in which amoebas grow, replicate their nucleus, and then divide into two identical daughter cells.