Mitosis is understood to involve five distinct stages.
The Five Stages of Mitosis
Mitosis is a fundamental process in cell division, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This process is crucial for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. According to current understanding, mitosis is divided into five main phases based on the physical state of the chromosomes and spindle.
Stages of Mitosis
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Prophase | The first stage where the chromosomes condense and become visible. The nuclear envelope begins to break down, and the spindle fibers start to form. |
| Prometaphase | The nuclear envelope completely disintegrates, and the spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes. The chromosomes are now starting to move toward the center of the cell. |
| Metaphase | Chromosomes align at the cell's equator, forming the metaphase plate. This alignment ensures that each daughter cell will receive a complete and identical set of chromosomes. This is a crucial checkpoint in the cell cycle. |
| Anaphase | The sister chromatids of each chromosome separate, pulled apart by the spindle fibers towards opposite poles of the cell. Each separated chromatid is now considered an individual chromosome. This is the shortest phase of mitosis. |
| Telophase | The final stage where the chromosomes reach the poles and begin to decondense. The nuclear envelope starts to reform around each set of chromosomes. The cell will also undergo cytokinesis at this stage, usually resulting in the formation of two daughter cells. |
Summary
- Mitosis comprises five main stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
- Each stage is defined by distinct events involving the chromosomes and spindle fibers.
- The process ensures that each daughter cell inherits the exact same genetic material as the parent cell.
