Mitosis

The term mitosis refers to the duplication of a cell's chromosomes to allow daughter cells to receive the exact genetic makeup of the parent cell. Mitosis does not occur in prokaryotes, which divide in a simpler way using their mesosomes. Errors made in the process of the copying of the cell's DNA during the prophase occasionally occur, resulting in mutations. Mitosis makes up the "M-phase" of the cell cycle, and is comprised of the following stages:

Mitosis

Prophase

• thickening and coiling of the chromosomes
• disappearance of the nucleolus
• beginning of the organization of a group of fibres to form a spindle and disintegration of the nuclear membrane

Metaphase

• uplining of the chromosomes along the midline of the cell

Anaphase

• separation of each chromatid pair into two identical chromosomes that are pulled to opposite ends of the cell by the spindle fibres

Telophase

• beginning of the decondensation of the chromosomes
• breakdown of the spindle
• reformation of the nuclear membranes and nucleoli

See also

• Meiosis