m phase

m phase

cell division

m phase phases

mitosis and cytokinesis

mitosis phases

prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

cytokinesis

cytoplasmic division

early prophase

chromosomes condense, mitotic spindles form (microtubules form between centrosomes), nucleolus breaks down

late prophase

chromosomes condense more, nuclear envelope breaks down, microtubules begin to catch chromosomes

kinetochore

a region of proteins on the centromere that spindle microtubules attach to

metaphase

every kinetochore is attached to a spindle fiber, chromosomes align along the metaphase plate

metaphase plate

imaginary region along the middle of the cell

anaphase

proteins connecting sister chromatids dissolve (they become chromosomes), chromosomes move to opposite poles, kinetochore microtubules shorten, others elongate

telophase

mitotic spindles are broken down, nuclear envelope reforms, nucleolus reforms, chromosomes decondense, cytokinesis begins at the same time

cytokinesis in animals

cleavage furrow: cell membrane is pulled together by actin and myosin filaments

cytokinesis in plants

cell plates: vesicles filled with cell wall components align in the middle