During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Mitosis is an incredible process with precise steps and regulation. Without mitosis, life would be impossible. However, the process can seem a bit complex.

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

To begin, let’s explore the different stages of mitosis.

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Prophase is the first stage of mitosis. In prophase,

  • chromosomes condense and become visible
  • spindle fibers emerge from the centrosomes
  • nuclear envelope breaks down
  • nucleolus disappears

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Prometaphase is the second stage of mitosis. In prometaphase,

  • chromosomes continue to condense
  • kinetochores appear at the centromeres
  • mitotic spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores
  • centrosomes move toward opposite poles

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Metaphase is the third step in mitosis. In mitosis,

  • mitotic spindle is fully developed, centrosomes are at opposite poles of the cell
  • chromosomes are lined up at the metaphase plate
  • each sister chromatid is attached to a spindle fiber originating from opposite poles

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Anaphase is the fourth step in mitosis. In anaphase,

  • cohesin proteins binding the sister chromatids together break down
  • sister chromatids (now called chromosomes) are pulled toward opposite poles
  • non-kinetochore spindle fibers lengthen, elongating the cell

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Telophase is the fifth step in mitosis. In telophase,

  • chromosomes arrive at opposite poles and begin to decondenese
  • nuclear envelope material surrounds each set of chromosomes
  • the mitotic spindle breaks down

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Cytokinesis is the sixth and final step of mitosis. In cytokinesis,

  • Animal cells: a cleavage furrow separates the daughter cells
  • Plant cells: a cell plate separates the daughter cells

Mitosis

Now that we’ve reviewed each of the steps, let’s look at the cycle as a whole:

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Mitosis: In Summary

In prophase, the nucleolus disappears and chromosomes condense and become visible. In prometaphase, kinetochores appear at the centromeres and mitotic spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores. In metaphase, chromosomes are lined up and each sister chromatid is attached to a spindle fiber. In anaphase, sister chromatids (now called chromosomes) are pulled toward opposite poles. In telophase, chromosomes arrive at opposite poles, and nuclear envelope material surrounds each set of chromosomes. Finally, in cytokenesis, the two daughter cells are separated.

Let’s take a quick quiz to review what we’ve just learned!

Practice Quiz

Which of the following options shows the correct order of the steps of mitosis?

  1. prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis.
  2. metaphase, prometaphase, prophase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis.
  3. prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, telophase, anaphase, and cytokinesis.

Show Answer

Answer a is correct. If you answered b, you might be having some trouble keeping the beginning steps in order. If you answered c, you might be having some trouble keeping the steps in the second half of mitosis in order.

What step of mitosis is shown here?

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Show Answer

The cell shown above is in prophase. In prophase, the first step in mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down and chromosomes condense and become visible.

What step of mitosis is shown here?

During this stage of mitosis chromatids separate and move to opposite sides

Show Answer

The cell shown above is in metaphase. In metaphase, the mitotic spindle is fully developed, centrosomes are at opposite poles of the cell, and chromosomes are lined up at the metaphase plate.

Which step does the following passage describe?

The kinetochores appear at the centromeres, the mitotic spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores, and the centrosomes move toward opposite poles.

Show Answer

This passage describes prometaphase, the second step in mitosis

What occurs during anaphase?

  1. Each sister chromatid (or chromosome) is attached to a spindle fiber originating from opposite poles
  2. Sister chromatids (or chromosomes) are pulled toward opposite poles
  3. Sister chromatids (or chromosomes) arrive at opposite poles and begin to decondense

Show Answer

Answer b is correct. This is one of the events that occur during anaphase. During anaphase, the cohesin proteins binding the sister chromatids together also break down, and the non-kinetochore spindle fibers lengthen, elongating the cell.

Answer a occurs during metaphase, which happens before anaphase. Answer c occurs during telophase, which happens after anaphase.

When the chromosomes split apart and move to opposite sides this is called?

The process in which the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell divides is called mitosis. During mitosis, the two sister chromatids that make up each chromosome separate from each other and move to opposite poles of the cell. Mitosis occurs in four phases.

What is anaphase 1?

Anaphase 1 is the process occurring in diploid cells. It is the third step of meiosis 1 in which the chromosomes move in opposite directions with their kinetochores leading them with the help of microtubules or spindle fibres.

What is it called when chromatid arms separate and move to opposite ends of the cell?

During anaphase, the sister chromatids separate and begin to migrate to opposite poles of the cell, and a cleavage furrow begins to develop.