Stages of Mitosis
By: Dylan Lee
Interphase
The cell is engaged in metabolic activity and performing its prepare for mitosis. Chromosomes are not clearly discerned in the nucleus, although a dark spot called the nucleolus may be visible. The cell may contain a pair of centrifuges both of which are organizational sites for micro tubules.
Prophase
Chromatin in the nucleus begins to condense and becomes visible in the light microscope as chromosomes. The nucleolus disappears. Centrifuges begin moving to opposite ends of the cell and fibers extend from the centro meres. Some fibers cross the cell to form the mitotic spindle.
Prometaphase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Cytokinesis
In animal cells, cytokinesis results when a fiber ring composed of a protein called actin around the center of the cell contracts pinching the cell into two daughter cells, each with one nucleus. In plant cells, the rigid wall requires that a cell plate be synthesized between the two daughter cells.