Discover the Phases of Mitosis (Plus Tips for Remembering the Order)

Written by Jennifer Gaeng
Published: June 8, 2023
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Mitosis is a process of cell division in which a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells in both sexually and asexually reproducing organisms. During mitosis, the genetic material inside the cell is duplicated and then separated into two new cells, each with its own copy of the genetic material. Mitosis allows for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in many types of organisms.

Some examples of mitosis in the human body include the healing of scrapes or cuts, the production of new skin cells to replace dead skin cells, and the growth and regeneration of hair and nails. In plants, mitosis is involved in the growth of roots, stems, and leaves, as well as in the production of new flowers and fruits.

Mitosis has distinct phases that occur in a specific order. In this article, we will explore the 5 phases of mitosis, plus tips for remembering the order!

The 5 Phases of Mitosis

The phases of mitosis are a series of distinct steps that occur during cell division. The process is typically divided into five phases, which include prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Keep reading to learn more about each phase!

1.      Prophase

Light microscope micrograph showing mitosis in onion cells of the root meristem. Two examples of each prophase, metaphase and anaphase can be seen.

Condensation of chromatin into visible chromosomes occurs during prophase, the initial stage of mitosis.

©Jose Luis Calvo/Shutterstock.com

Prophase is the first phase of mitosis, characterized by the condensation of chromatin into visible chromosomes. During prophase, the chromatin strands become more tightly packed and visible under the microscope. The nuclear envelope also breaks down, allowing the chromosomes to move freely within the cell.

Spindle fibers begin to form at opposite ends of the cell, which will eventually be responsible for pulling the chromosomes apart in the later stages of cell division. Depending on the type of cell and the type of cell division being undergone, there can be different variations of prophase. For example, in meiosis (cell division that occurs in only sexually reproducing organisms), prophase is divided into subphases called leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and diakinesis.

2.      Prometaphase

Root tip of Onion and Mitosis cell in the Root tip of Onion under a microscope.

After prophase is prometaphase, the second stage of mitosis.

©Rattiya Thongdumhyu/Shutterstock.com

Prometaphase is the second stage of mitosis, which follows prophase. During prometaphase, several structural and biochemical changes take place in the cell. Firstly, the nuclear envelope starts to break down, allowing the spindle fibers to attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes. The spindle fibers are made of microtubules that aid in the separation of chromosomes during cell division.

The chromosomes start to condense and become more visible under a microscope. Also, the kinetochores, which are protein structures that form on each sister chromatid’s centromere, attach to the spindle fibers from opposite poles of the cell. This attachment is necessary for the proper alignment and separation of chromosomes during the following stage, metaphase.

Prometaphase is a crucial stage in mitosis that prepares the chromosomes for proper alignment and segregation in the subsequent stages of the cell division process.

3.      Metaphase

metaphase plate of cell division of allium root

The third stage of mitosis is called metaphase.

©santanu maity/Shutterstock.com

Metaphase is the third stage of mitosis, following prometaphase. During metaphase, the chromosomes are aligned along the equatorial plane of the cell, also known as the metaphase plate. The spindle fibers, which are composed of microtubules, attach to the kinetochores, which are protein structures found on each sister chromatid’s centromere. The spindle fibers exert tension, causing the chromosomes to align properly in the center of the cell.

The alignment of the chromosomes at the metaphase plate ensures that each daughter cell will receive the correct number of chromosomes during cell division. Overall, metaphase is a critical stage of mitosis that helps to properly align the chromosomes and facilitate their separation into two daughter cells in the subsequent stages of mitosis.

4.      Anaphase

Basic phase of mitosis (Anaphase)

The fourth stage of mitosis is anaphase.

©taneiyyaa/Shutterstock.com

Anaphase is the fourth stage of mitosis, following metaphase. During anaphase, the sister chromatids of each chromosome separate and begin to move towards opposite poles of the cell. This separation is facilitated by the shortening of the microtubules of the spindle fibers attached to the kinetochores. As the microtubules shorten, they pull the sister chromatids apart and toward the poles of the cell. Once the sister chromatids reach their respective poles, they are referred to as chromosomes.

The onset of anaphase is triggered by the separation of the sister chromatids, which is a result of the degradation of cohesin by separase. Overall, anaphase is a critical stage of mitosis because it ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes following cell division.

5.      Telophase

Microscopic image of a onion root showing the telophase stage of cell division

Telophase is the fifth and final stage of mitosis.

©Doniel Deka/Shutterstock.com

Telophase is the fifth and final stage of mitosis, following anaphase. During telophase, the chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell, and the newly formed nuclei begin to appear. The spindle fibers start to break down and disappear, and new nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes. The chromosomes start to unwind, and the chromatin forms two distinct nuclei in the cell.

Cytokinesis, the physical separation of the cell into two daughter cells, usually occurs in parallel with telophase and is considered the final stage of cell division. Overall, telophase is critical because it marks the completion of nuclear division and the physical separation of the genetic material into two daughter cells.

5 Tips For Remembering The 5 Phases Of Mitosis

Here are 5 tips for remembering the order of the five phases of mitosis:

1.      Make An Acronym:

Create a short memorable acronym for the five stages, such as “PPMAT.”

2.      Associate The Stages With Visual Cues:

Try to visualize what each stage looks like and what is happening to the chromosomes during each phase.

Here are some visual cues for the five phases of mitosis:

In prophase, think of the “P” for “preparation” as the chromosomes start to condense and become visible, and the spindle fibers start to form.

For prometaphase, remember the “promet” prefix means “before metaphase,” and the nuclear envelope breaks down, allowing spindle fibers to attach to the chromosomes.

In metaphase, imagine the chromosomes aligning in the middle like a “metronome,” with the spindle fibers pulling the chromosomes toward the center.

For anaphase, picture the chromosomes being pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell like “apart.”

In telophase, imagine the two new nuclei forming on opposite ends of the cell as the cell starts to divide in two through cytokinesis.

3.      Breakdown The Steps:

Divide the five stages into two groups: (Prophase and prometaphase) the preparation stages where chromosomes condense and spindle fibers form; (metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) the stages of cell division where chromosomes align, split apart, and nuclei reform, and the cell divides into two through cytokinesis.

4.      Use A Song Or Jingle:

Write a tune or jingle for the five stages and sing it repeatedly until the order is ingrained in your memory.

For example, here’s a poem for the five phases of mitosis:

The first is prophase, chromosomes condense and form, the second is prometaphase, spindle fibers begin to transform.

Metaphase aligns the chromosomes in the middle with care, Anaphase pulls them apart, splitting the pairs.

Finally comes telophase, two nuclei now are reforming, Cytokinesis completes the division, and two new cells are performing.

The five phases of mitosis, a delicate dance we see, ensure the cells divide, creating a new life with glee.

5.      Practice With Diagrams:

Draw diagrams of each phase and label them accurately. This can help you visualize the order of the stages and understand what is occurring in each one.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, mitosis is a process of cell division that results in the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells. The five stages of mitosis (prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) ensure that the genetic material is accurately distributed between the daughter cells.

Understanding these stages is important for researchers and students alike, as it provides insight into how cellular processes work and how anomalies such as cancer can arise. By remembering the phases of mitosis and their specific functions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex nature of life on a cellular level.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Nandalal Sarkar


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About the Author

Jennifer Gaeng is a writer at A-Z-Animals focused on animals, lakes, and fishing. With over 15 years of collective experience in writing and researching, Jennifer has honed her skills in various niches, including nature, animals, family care, and self-care. Hailing from Missouri, Jennifer finds inspiration in spending quality time with her loved ones. Her creative spirit extends beyond her writing endeavors, as she finds joy in the art of drawing and immersing herself in the beauty of nature.

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