Phase of Mitosis in Animal Cells

Prophase

Early prophase

n  Chromosome condense and appear shorter and thicker and become visible in a light microscope

n  Each chromosome now consists of a pair of sister chromatids joined together at centromere.

n  Nucleolus disappears & nuclear membrane disintegrates.

n  Paired centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell

Late prophase

n  Nuclear membrane disappears

n  Spindle form

Metaphase

n  Spindle fibres are fully form

n  Sister cromatids line up at the spindle equator/ metaphase plate.

n  Two sister chromatids are still attached to one another at the centromere.

n  At the end of metaphase, the centromers divide.

Anaphase

n  Anaphase begin with the separation of the centromers

n  The sister cromatids are drawn to opposite poles of the cell by shortening of spindle fibres.

n  Once separated, chromatids are referred to as daughter chromosome.

n  End anaphase: the poles of the cell have complete and equivalent sets of chromosome.

Telophase

n  Telophase begins when the two sets of daughter chromosomes have reached the two poles of the cell.

n  The spindle fibres disintegrate, the nuclear membrane forms around each set of daughter chromosomes and the nucleoli reappear.

n  The nucleolus also re-forms in each nucleus.

n  The chromosomes uncoil and become less visible under the light microscope.

n  Mitosis process is now completed.