Cell Division-Mitosis and Meiosis: Part 3: Mitosis

Question 1

What is Mitosis?

Answer 1

It is the division of the nucleus.

Question 2

What are the different phases in Mitosis?

Answer 2

There are four different phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Question 3

What happens in Prophase?

Answer 3

1. Strands of chromosomes start to condense and become visible.
2. The nucleoli disappear.
3. Spindle fibers begin to from in the cytoplasm, extending from one centrosome to another.
4. Centrioles begin to migrate to the poles.
5. The nuclear membrane begins to disintegrate.

Question 4

What happens in Metaphase?

Answer 4

1. Chromosomes line up single file located on equator or metaphase plate.
2. Centrosomes are at opposite poles of the cell.
3. Spindle fibers run from the centrosomes to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Question 5

What happens in Anaphase?

Answer 5

1. The centromeres of each chromosome separates and spindle fibers start pulling the sister chromosomes apart.

Question 6

What happens in Telophase?

Answer 6

1. Chromosomes cluster at opposite ends of the cell, the nuclear membrane reforms.
2. Supercoiled chromosomes start to unravel to return to their condition before cell division as long, thread-like strands.
3. The nuclear membrane reforms.

Question 7

What is the shortest phase of mitosis?

Answer 7

Anaphase

Question 8

What is Cytokinesis?

Answer 8

It is the division of the cytoplasm.

Question 9

During cytokinesis, what forms in the middle of the animal cell?

Answer 9

A cleavage furrow.

Question 10

What happens in cytokinesis in an animal cell?

Answer 10

A cleavage furrow forms in the middle of the cell as the cell pinches inward and the two daughter cells separate.

Question 11

What happens in cytokinesis in a plant cell?

Answer 11

A cell plate forms down the middle of the cell. The two daughter cells don’t separate, instead a sticky middle lamella cements adjacent cells together.