Lesson 3.2: Mitosis
Learning Objectives
- Describe the stages of mitosis and the key events of each phase
- Explain the role of spindle fibers in chromosome separation
- Distinguish between mitosis and cytokinesis
- Identify common errors in cell division and their consequences
Overview
Mitosis is a type of cell division in which one cell (the mother) divides to produce two new cells (the daughters) that are genetically identical to itself. In the context of the cell cycle, mitosis is the part of the division process in which the DNA of the cell's nucleus is split into two equal sets of chromosomes.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Figure 3.2.1 — Stages of Mitosis
[Diagram placeholder]
Prophase
During prophase, chromatin condenses into discrete chromosomes. The nuclear envelope breaks down and spindle fibers begin to form from the centrosomes, which have already duplicated and begun to move to opposite poles of the cell.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam.
Metaphase & Anaphase
In metaphase, chromosomes align along the cell's equatorial plate. Spindle fibers attach to kinetochores on each chromatid. Anaphase begins when the centromeres split and sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite poles by shortening spindle fibers.
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet.
Telophase & Cytokinesis
Telophase is characterized by the reformation of the nuclear envelope around each set of chromosomes and the decondensation of chromatin. Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, typically overlaps with telophase and results in two genetically identical daughter cells.