Skip to main content

How does mitosis work?

Mitosis is the process by which the nuclear material of a eukaryotic cell divides just prior to cytokinesis or cell division. The first step that occurs after the cell enters the mitotic phase is prophase. During prophase, the nuclear envelope degenerates and the chromatin (DNA) condenses into chromosomes. This helps to protect the DNA in the absence of the nuclear envelope. The centrioles begin to move toward opposite poles of the cell.  

The next step of mitosis is metaphase. During metaphase, the chromosomes, consisting of a pair of identical sister chromatids, line up along the metaphase plate (along the center of the cell). Microtubules (mitotic spindle) extend from the centrioles at opposite poles to the centromeres of the sister chromatids and attach.


During the next phase, anaphase, the connected microtubules pull the sister chromatids of each chromosome to opposite ends of the cell so that every chromosome present in the parent cell is now represented at each end of the cell.


Finally, telophase involves the degeneration of the mitotic spindle and reformation of the nuclear envelope around the recently separated chromatids. The DNA decondenses to its chromatin form and a cleavage furrow (where the cell itself is starting to divide) forms.


After mitosis, cell division is completed through cytokinesis. Both daughter cells are identical to the parent cell in terms of genetic content.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the probability that a cross between parents who are both homozygous recessive for trait will have offspring that are homozygous recessive...

In the question, both parents are homozygous recessive for a trait. Therefore, the only genes present in each parent's genotype would be two copies of the recessive gene.  If these parents decide to have offspring, 100% of their children will inherit two recessive alleles and will express the recessive trait. An example of this can be demonstrated with the sickle cell anemia allele. If both parents have sickle cell anemia, then all of their offspring... In the question, both parents are homozygous recessive for a trait. Therefore, the only genes present in each parent's genotype would be two copies of the recessive gene.  If these parents decide to have offspring, 100% of their children will inherit two recessive alleles and will express the recessive trait. An example of this can be demonstrated with the sickle cell anemia allele. If both parents have sickle cell anemia, then all of their offspring will have the disease phenotype. The disease phenotype of sickle cell anemia re...
Post a Comment
Read more