Living cells are divided into two types- prokaryotic and eukaryotic. This division is based on internal complexity. Mitosis Interphase: Cells may appear inactive during this stage, but they are quite the opposite. This is the longest period of the complete cell cycle during which DNA replicates, the centrioles divide, and proteins are actively produced.
Prophase: During this first mitotic stage, the nucleus fades and chromatin condenses into chromosomes. Each replicated chromosome comprises two chromatids, both with the same genetic information. Microtubules of the cytoskeleton, responsible for cell shape, motility and attachment to other cells during interphase, disassemble. And the building blocks of these microtubules are used to grow the mitotic spindle from the region of the centrioles.
Prometaphase: In this stage the nuclear envelope breaks down so there is no longer a recognizable nucleus. Some mitotic spindle fibers elongate from the centrioles and attach to kinetichores. Other spindle fibers elongate but instead of attaching to chromosomes, overlap each other at the cell center.
Metaphase: Tension applied by the spindle fibers aligns all chromosomes in one plane at the center of the cell.
Anaphase: Spindle fibers shorten, the kinetichores separate, and the chromatids (daughter chromosomes) are pulled apart and begin moving to the cell poles.
Telophase: The daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles and the spindle fibers that have pulled them apart disappear.
Cytokinesis: The spindle fibers not attached to chromosomes begin breaking down until only that portion of overlap is left. It is in this region that a contractile ring cleaves the cell into two daughter cells. Microtubules then reorganize into a new cytoskeleton for the return to interphase.
