Mitosis and the Cell Cycle

Front

What is the cell cycle?

Back

The cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication (replication). It consists of interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis.

Front

What happens during interphase?

Back

During interphase, the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, and prepares for mitosis. It is the longest phase of the cell cycle.

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process of cell division where one cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Front

What are the stages of mitosis?

Back

The stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Front

What occurs during prophase?

Back

During prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus begins to form.

Front

What happens during metaphase?

Back

During metaphase, chromosomes line up at the cell's equatorial plane, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Front

What is anaphase?

Back

Anaphase is the stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Front

What occurs during telophase?

Back

During telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles, the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to de-condense.

Front

What is cytokinesis?

Back

Cytokinesis is the final stage of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.

Front

What is a centromere?

Back

A centromere is the region of a chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined together.