Cell cycle

Question 1

Describe the events that occur during mitosis.

Answer 1

1. sequence of stages is prophase → metaphase → anaphase → telophase;
2. chromosomes condense/supercoil/become shorter and fatter in prophase;
3. spindle microtubules grow (from poles to equator) in prophase/metaphase;
4. nuclear membrane breaks down in prophase/metaphase;
5. spindle microtubules attach to the centromeres/chromosomes in metaphase;
6. chromosomes line up at equator in metaphase;
7. centromeres divide / (paired) chromatids separate / chromosomes separate into two chromatids in metaphase/anaphase;
8. (sister) chromatids/chromosomes pulled to opposite poles in anaphase;
9. spindle microtubules disappear in telophase;
10. nuclear membrane reforms around chromosomes/chromatids in telophase;
11. chromosomes/chromatids decondense in telophase;