The Process That Occurs During Mitotic Cellular Division

The first phase is called Interphase, which is a stage of growing that contains G1, S, and G2 phases. G1 is growth, S is DNA replicating, and G2 is the preperation for division. 


 After Interphase we enter the stage called Mitosis.

 The first stage in Mitosis is Prophase which is only entered once the cell decides it's ready to divide, it is the longest of the 4 stages. First the nucleus condenses and the duplicated chromosomes, or DNA, become visible. Meanwhile spindle fibers form outside the nucleus, these fibers segregate the chromosomes.

Our next phase is Metaphase which is generally the shortest of the 4 phases. The centromeres of the duplicated chromosomes line up across the cell center. Spindle fibers then connect the centromere of each chromosome to the 2 'poles' of the spindle.
Here is a diagram of the metaphase, displaying the centromere and spindle fibers.

Then we have Anaphase. The sister chromatids, copies of the original chromosome, move apart and separate. Each sister cell now contains a chromosome. The chromosomes then separate. Each sister cell now contains a chromosome. The chromosomes then seperate and move along the spindle fibers to opposite ends of the cell. Anaphase can only end when the chromosomes are in 2 separate groups. 

Finally we reach the last stage of mitosis, Telophase. The chromosomes, where were distinct and condensed, begin to spread out into a tangle of chromatin. Nuclear envelops re-form around each cluster of chromosome. The spindle fibers the begin to break apart and a nucleus becomes visible in each daughter cell.

Now, mitosis is done however we still have one more step to complete cell division. That last step is called Cytokinesis. Cytokinesis is the finally split of the two daughter cells. This stage occurs at the same time as telophase.

We now have two fully functioning cells from our original cell.


Here is a diagram of the entire process to help you get a visual image. Image provided by Living Science Mater Experiment.

 Google images provided pictures and information is credited to Biology by Joesph  Levine and Kenneth Miller.(ch10)

Please take this survey to see what you learned!