Mitosis

Question 0

Prophase

Answer 0

• first and longest phase of mitosis
• long, stringy chromatin coil up into visible chromosomes
• nucleus begins to disappear as nuclear envelope and nucleolus disintegrate
• in animal cells, centrioles begin to migrate to opposite ends of cell and spindle fibers form in between
• in plant cells spindle fibers form without centrioles

Question 1

Interphase

Answer 1

• rapid growth and metabolic activities
• DNA synthesis and reproduction (copies chromosomes)
• centrioles replicate; cell prepares for division (mitochondria and other organelles and cell parts needed for division are assembled)

Question 2

Metaphase

Answer 2

• second phase of mitosis
• doubled chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers by their centromeres
• chromosomes pulled by spindle fibers and line up at the midline, or the equator of the spindle
• each chromatid is attached to its spindle fiber, which is attached to a pole

Question 3

Anaphase

Answer 3

• third phase of mitosis
• separation of sister chromatids
• centromeres split and chromatid pairs from each chromosome separate from each other
• chromatids are pulled apart by shortening of microtubules in spindle fibers

Question 4

Telophase

Answer 4

• fourth and final phase of mitosis
• chromatids reach opposite poles of cell
• chromosomes unwind so they can begin to direct the metabolic activities of new cell
• spindle breaks down
• nucleolus reappears and new nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes
• new double membrane begins to form between two new nuclei