Describe the four stages of mitosis

There are four stages of mitosis:
prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

1) Prophase
Chromatin into chromosomes, the nuclear envelope break down, chromosomes attach to spindle fibres by their centromeres.

2) Metaphase
Chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate (centre of the cell).

3) Anaphase
Sister chromatids are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.

4) Telophase
Nuclear envelope reforms, chromosomes unfold into chromatin, cytokinesis can begin.

The order of the stages of mitosis can be remembered using the mnemonic PMAT.