Cell Division

Step 1

Starts off with interphase, during which the cell grows, performs normal functions and copies its DNA in preparation for division.

Step 2

mitosis occurs

step 3

(part of mitosis)

1. Prophase: The chromatids condense and become visible. The nuclear envelope starts to break down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

step 4

(part of mitosis)

1. Metaphase: The chromatids line up in the metaphase plate, guided by spindle fibers attached to kinetochores at the centromeres.

step 5

(part of mitosis)

1. Anaphase: The sister chromatids are pulled apart. Once separated, each chromatid is considered its own chromosome.

step 6

(part of mitosis)

1. Telophase: The chromosomes reach opposite ends of the cell, start to uncoil back into chromatin, and new nuclear envelopes form around each set. The spindle disappears.

step 7

cytokinesis occurs — the cell's cytoplasm divides, resulting in two identical daughter cells.