•

Updated 28 Feb 2026

•

4 pages

Understanding Mitosis: Stages and Cell Division

Kaity

@kayunity

Mitosis is the process where a cell's nucleus divides to... Show more

1 / 4

# Mitosis

Mitosis is when the nucleus of the cell divides and has 4 phases-

Prophase Metaphase

Anaphase Telophase

Mitosis occurs in all

Mitosis and Chromosomes

Ever wondered how your body creates new cells? Mitosis is the answer! This is when a cell's nucleus divides through four phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. Mitosis happens in all eukaryotic cells except reproductive cells.

Chromosomes are condensed strands of DNA that contain your genetic information. They form an X-shape when a cell prepares to divide, with each arm called a chromatid. You get one chromatid from your mum and one from your dad, held together by a centromere.

Before mitosis even begins, cells prepare during a stage called interphase. The synthesis phase of interphase is when the cell makes a copy of all its DNA, getting ready for division.

Quick Fact: Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are exact genetic copies of the parent. This happens through processes like budding, spores, regeneration, and fission.

The Cell Cycle

The cell cycle is like a cellular roadmap showing how cells grow and divide. It starts with interphase, which includes three stages: Gap 1 (G₁) where the cell grows, Synthesis (S) where DNA doubles, and Gap 2 (G₂) where the cell grows more.

Human cells normally have 46 chromosomes, but after DNA replication in the synthesis phase, they temporarily have 96 chromosomes! This prepares them for division into two complete daughter cells.

Once fully grown in G₂, the cell enters the mitotic phase $M-phase$ . This is when the actual division occurs, creating two identical daughter cells. Some cells can also enter a resting phase called G₀ where they leave the cycle temporarily.

Remember This: Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells, each with exactly the same genetic material as the parent cell. This is crucial for growth and repair in your body!

The Four Phases of Mitosis

Prophase kicks off mitosis with some big changes! The nuclear membrane starts dissolving, centrioles begin forming spindles, and chromatin tightens into visible chromosomes. Think of it as the "preparation phase" where the cell gets ready for division.

In Metaphase, chromosomes line up neatly along the middle of the cell (called the metaphase plate). Centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell and send out spindle fibers that attach to the chromosomes. This perfect alignment ensures each new cell will get the right chromosomes.

During Anaphase, things get moving! The chromosomes split at their centromeres, and sister chromatids are pulled toward opposite ends of the cell. This separation ensures each new cell will receive a complete set of genetic material.

Visualize This: In Telophase, think of the cell doing everything from Prophase but in reverse - nuclear membranes reform and the cell prepares to physically split in two!

Cytokinesis and Interphase

After mitosis comes cytokinesis, the final step where one cell physically splits into two. In animal cells, the cell membrane pinches inward at the cleavage furrow until two separate cells form. It's like tying a drawstring bag in the middle until it becomes two bags!

Plant cells do cytokinesis differently. Instead of pinching, they form a cell plate in the middle - essentially building a new wall between the two forming cells. This difference exists because plant cells have rigid cell walls.

When cells aren't actively dividing, they enter interphase - a resting phase between divisions. But don't be fooled by the name! Interphase is actually when cells do most of their growing and DNA replication to prepare for the next division.

Cool Connection: Everything you learn about the cell cycle helps explain how your body grows from a single cell to trillions of cells, and how it can repair itself when you get a cut or scrape!

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.6/5

App Store

4.7/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

Stefan S

iOS user

Samantha Klich

Android user

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Basil

Android user

David K

iOS user

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

Rohan U

Android user

Xander S

iOS user

Elisha

iOS user

Paul T

iOS user

Biology

•

Updated 28 Feb 2026

•

4 pages

Understanding Mitosis: Stages and Cell Division

Kaity

@kayunity

Mitosis is the process where a cell's nucleus divides to create two identical daughter cells. This fundamental process occurs in all eukaryotic cells except reproductive cells and is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in living organisms.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Mitosis and Chromosomes

Before mitosis even begins, cells prepare during a stage called interphase. The synthesis phase of interphase is when the cell makes a copy of all its DNA, getting ready for division.

Quick Fact: Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are exact genetic copies of the parent. This happens through processes like budding, spores, regeneration, and fission.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Cell Cycle

Human cells normally have 46 chromosomes, but after DNA replication in the synthesis phase, they temporarily have 96 chromosomes! This prepares them for division into two complete daughter cells.

Remember This: Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells, each with exactly the same genetic material as the parent cell. This is crucial for growth and repair in your body!

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Four Phases of Mitosis

Visualize This: In Telophase, think of the cell doing everything from Prophase but in reverse - nuclear membranes reform and the cell prepares to physically split in two!

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Cytokinesis and Interphase

Cool Connection: Everything you learn about the cell cycle helps explain how your body grows from a single cell to trillions of cells, and how it can repair itself when you get a cut or scrape!