Microscope images of the stages of mitosis and related structures

Interphase

Nuclear envelope intact, nucleolus is present, DNA in chromatin form.

Prophase

Purple stained chromatin is condensing into visible clumps called chromosomes made up of two sister chromatids, nuclear envelope is intact but beginning to disintegrate.

Metaphase

Dark purple stained sister chromatids are lined up in metaphase plate, red stained, spindle fibers are connected to the dark purple stained sister chromatids. The two centrioles have spindle fibers growing out of them towards the sister chromatids.

Anaphase

Spindle fibers shorten on both ends of the cell, pulling apart the sister chromatids they are attached to and towards opposite end of cell, daughter chromatids head towards opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The cells begin to pinch into two cells and a cleavage furrow is now visible, the chromosomes begin to unwind into chromatin, two daughter nuclei begin to form as a nuclear membrane forms around chromatin.