Describe the steps of mitosis

Mitosis is one of the two types of cell division which leads to the production of two genetically identical diploid daughter cells (2n) from one original diploid parent cell (2n). The steps of mitosis are (interphase), prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis. Firstly in late interphase (the period between cell divisions) the cell's DNA replicates so it has 2 sets of its chromosomes and the two centrioles become visible. The next stage is prophase where the DNA condenses to form visible pairs of chromatids and spindle fibres begin to form from the two centromeres. In late prophase the nuclear envelope breaks down, the centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell and the spindle fibres begin growing towards the chromosomes. In metaphase the chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell (also known as the metaphase plate) and the spindle fibres attach to the centromeres of each chromosome (the point where the two sister chromatids are joint together). After this in anaphase the spindle fibres contract, pulling apart the chromosomes; separating them at the centromere. They then pull each of the chromatids to opposite poles of the cell. Following this in telophase the normal cell structures begin to reappear -the nuclear membrane begins to reform, the centrioles and spindle fibres break down, the chromosomes begin to return to their normal state and the cell membrane begins to pinch in at the equator of the cell as the cell begins to divide (cytokinesis). Cytokinesis then completes forming two diploid daughter cells.

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