What happens during mitosis

Mitosis is the seperation of DNA. There are 4 stages of mitosis that you need to be aware of for A level Biology: Prophase, Metahase, Anaphase and Telophase. (I like to remember this order as P.Mat)

  1. During prophase the nuclear envelope is broken down and the chromosomes condense. 

  2. During metaphase the chromosomes line u along the equatorial plane (along the middle line of the cell)

  3. During anaphase the chromosomes are pulled to the poles of the cell (either side of the cell) by spindle fibres which attatch to the chromosomes at the centromere 

  4. During telophase new neuclear envelops form around the two sets of chromosomes.

This concludes mitosis; after which cytokinesis (the seperation of the cell into 2 cells) occurs.

RW
Answered by Ruth W. Biology tutor

2769 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How is DNA transcribed into mRNA?


What are the key stages in phagocytosis?


What is the mitochondria and what is its role within the cell?


What is the significance of performing mouth-to-mouth breaths during CPR?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning