All cells have a cycle that starts when they have been produced and ends when they divide to produce identical cells. Cell division is a small segment of the cell cycle. It is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells that can divide again. This division is known as mitosis. Before division can occur, the genetic information stored in chromosomes replicates and separates and the replicated genetic material in the parent cell is equally distributed to two daughter cells.
Before mitosis a cell undergoes a period of growth called interphase. During this phase, the cell grows and produces organelles and proteins. The DNA is replicated in preparation for mitosis and it continues to grow and produce duplicate organelles.
Mitosis is composed of several stages:
Prophase:During prophase, the chromosomes in the nucleus get shorter and become visible. Each chromosome appears to have two chromatids that are joined together by a centromere. Centrioles form and move to opposite ends of the cells. The nuclear envelope breaks down and spindles form at opposite "poles" of the cell.
Metaphase: During metaphase, the chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell. Each of the chromosomes is attached to a spindle fiber at their centromere. The chromatids are pulled slightly apart due to the contraction of the microtubules. The chromosomes are aligned at the metaphase plate equally distant from the two spindle poles.
Anaphase:During anaphase, the spindle fibers are completely contracted so the separate chromatids of each chromosome are pulled to either side of the cell. Once the chromatids reach the poles of the cell, a new nuclear membrane forms around them, paired chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell.
Telophase: During telophase, the spindle fibers break down, chromosomes uncoil and elongate, the nucleolus reforms and, finally, the cell divides into two. The chromosomes are inside two distinct new nuclei in the emerging daughter cells.
At the end of mitosis, two distinct cells with identical genetic material are produced.
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All cells have a cycle that starts when they have been produced and ends when they divide to produce identical cells. Cell division is a small segment of the cell cycle. It is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells that can divide again. This division is known as mitosis. Before division can occur, the genetic information stored in chromosomes replicates and separates and the replicated genetic material in the parent cell is equally distributed to two daughter cells.