Describe the different phases involved in mitosis

In mitosis there are four phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. The first step is early Prophase, where chromosomes condense and become visible through supercoiling and simultaneously spindle microtubules are synthesised. At late Prophase, spindle microtubules extend from the equator to each pole and each chromosome consists of two identical sister chromatids, held together by a centromere. This is followed by Metaphase, where the nuclear membrane breaks down and chromosomes move to the equator to allow spindle microtubules from both poles to attach to each centromere on opposite sides. In Anaphase, the centromeres divide and the sister chromatids become individual chromosomes. Moreover, spindle microtubules shorten pulling the genetically identical chromosomes to opposite poles. In early Telophase all chromosomes are located at either pole, a nuclear membrane forms around them and spindle microtubules break down. Finally, in late Telophase chromosomes uncoil and decondense, hence they are no longer individually visible and the cell undergoes cytokinesis to form two cells with genetically identical nuclei.