Interphase and mitosis

Interphase: G1,s, G2 stages

Cell prepares to divide by growing and sythesising proteins. DNA is unwound as chromatin so cell is metabolically active.

Four stages of mitosis

• Prophase

• Metaphase

• Anaphase

• Telophase

• Cytokinesis

Prophase

Nuclear envelope disappears, mitotic spindles form, chromosomes condense.

Metaphase

The chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell and become attached to the spindles by the centromere.

Anaphase

Centromeres divide and separate each pair of sister chromatids. The

Spindles contract, pulling the chromatids to the opposite poles.

Telophase

Chromatids reach poles. They uncoil and become long and thin again.

Now called chromosomes again.

Nuclear envelope forms around each chromosome, now there are two nuclei.

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasm divides. Now two genetically identical daughter cells.