Mitosis and Chromosome Structure

A comprehensive vocabulary review covering the stages of mitosis, cytokinesis in plant and animal cells, and chromosome structure.

Mitosis

The division of the nucleus into two identical copies, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the starting cell.

Interphase

The cell cycle stage that occurs immediately before mitosis begins.

Mitosis Duration

The time required for mitosis to occur, which can take between $2 - 4\text{ hours}$.

Prophase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes shorten and coil, spindle fibers form and attach to chromosomes, centrioles move to each end of the cell, and the nuclear membrane breaks down.

Centrioles

$2$ pairs of rod-like structures that attach to spindle fibres and move to each end of the cell during prophase.

Spindle fibers

Fibers formed by the cell that attach to centrioles and chromosomes to position and separate chromosomes during mitosis.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where spindle fibres position the chromosomes at the centre or middle of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where spindle fibres separate the chromosomes, moving one chromosome from each pair to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes begin to uncoil and lengthen, and new nuclear membranes form around the chromosomes.

Cytokinesis

The process occurring during telophase where about half of the cytoplasm and organelles separate into each new cell.

Animal Cell Cytokinesis

The form of cytokinesis in animal cells where the cell membrane pinches together in the middle deeper and deeper until it splits into $2$.

Cell plate

A structure that forms along the middle of a plant cell during cytokinesis until it cuts the cell in half.

Chromosome

A double-stranded DNA molecule made up of one or two chromatids.

Chromatid

Identical strands that make up the chromosome, attached by a centromere.

Centromere

The structure that holds identical chromatids together in a duplicated chromosome.

Sister chromatids

Identical strands of a duplicated chromosome that are joined by a centromere and separate during mitosis.

Daughter chromosomes

The individual chromosomes resulting from mitosis after sister chromatids are pulled apart.

Chromatin

The cellular material defined by $\text{Chromatin} = \text{DNA} + \text{proteins}$.