What are the stages of mitosis?

There are 5 stages of mitosis. Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis. An easy mnemonic is Pee (on the) MAT Cat. Prophase - 3 things occur: 1) Chromatin condenses and tightly coils to form chromosomes (two identical sister chromatids joined at the centre by centromeres). 2) The nuclear envelope breaks down 3) The two centrioles migrate to opposite ends of the cell (centrioles are the organelles that act in pulling the chromosomes apart into their soon to be daughter cells). Metaphase – Chromosomes start to align at the cell equator by spindle fibres (which are made from microtubules from the two centrioles and attach to the centromeres (think of them as ropes)). These shorten and lengthen (like a tug of war) until the chromosome is lined up at the centre of the cell to form the metaphase plate. Anaphase – The spindle fibres shorten, causing the centromeres to break, separating the sister chromatids. These are then pulled to the opposite poles of the cell. Telophase – 3 things occur: 1) Nuclear membranes form around the two genetically identical nuclei. 2) The spindle breaks down. 3) The chromosomes decondense. Cytokinesis – The cytoplasm of the parent cell divides to complete cell division, forming 2 new diploid daughter cells.