Phases of Mitosis

Front

What are the four phases of mitosis?

Back

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

Front

What is the main purpose of mitosis?

Back

To ensure that each daughter cell gets a perfect, full set of chromosomes.

Front

What occurs during prophase?

Back

Chromosomes condense, the mitotic spindle begins to form, and the nuclear envelope starts to break down.

Front

What happens during metaphase?

Back

Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate, under tension from the mitotic spindle.

Front

What is anaphase characterized by?

Back

The sister chromatids separate from each other and are pulled towards opposite ends of the cell.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

The spindle disappears, a nuclear membrane re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and a nucleolus reappears in each new nucleus.

Front

How does cytokinesis occur in animal cells?

Back

By pinching the cell in two with a band of filaments made of actin.

Front

What is the role of the mitotic spindle?

Back

To separate sister chromatids and pull them to opposite ends of the cell during mitosis.

Front

What is the significance of the metaphase plate?

Back

It is the imaginary line where chromosomes align before being separated during anaphase.

Front

What is the difference between mitosis and cytokinesis?

Back

Mitosis is the division of the nucleus, while cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm.