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17 Jan 2026
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Steps of the Mitotic Phase
O
Olivia
@oliviag
The Four Stages of Mitosis: PMAT
Think of mitosis like a perfectly choreographed dance with four main moves. The acronym PMAT will be your best friend for remembering the sequence: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.
Prophase is all about preparation (hence the "P"). The cell's genetic information doubles, and the loose chromatin in the nucleus condenses into visible chromosomes. Picture DNA wrapping around proteins called histones like thread on a spool - this "beads on a string" structure becomes the tight chromosomes you see under a microscope.
The nuclear envelope completely breaks down during prophase, which is crucial because the centrioles (located outside the nucleus) need access to attach to chromosomes. These centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell and start forming the spindle fibres that will do the heavy lifting.
In Metaphase, everything lines up in the middle (think "M for middle"). The spindle fibres attach to the centromere of each chromosome pair, and all chromosomes arrange themselves along the cell's equator like soldiers in formation.
Quick Tip: If the chromosomes aren't perfectly lined up at the centre, the cell won't proceed - it's like a safety checkpoint to ensure equal division!
Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis
Anaphase is when things move apart (think "A for away"). The sister chromatids separate as the spindle fibres shorten and pull them to opposite poles of the cell. This ensures each new cell gets exactly the same genetic information.
Telophase creates two distinct areas (think "T for two"). The chromosomes reach opposite ends and start to relax back into loose chromatin. New nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes, whilst the spindle fibres break down into smaller parts that will help build the cytoskeleton for the new cells.
Cytokinesis isn't technically part of mitosis, but it's the final step of cell division. The cytoplasm splits to create two separate cells. In animal cells, the plasma membrane pinches inward like tightening a belt until it splits completely.
Plant cells do cytokinesis differently because of their rigid cell walls. Instead of pinching, they build a cell plate down the middle, then form new plasma membranes and cell walls on each side.
Remember: Mitosis only divides the nucleus and DNA - cytokinesis divides everything else to complete the process!
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Stefan S
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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
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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
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Steps of the Mitotic Phase
O
Olivia
@oliviag
Cell division is happening in your body right now - millions of times every day! Mitosisis the process that allows one cell to divide and create two identical daughter cells, giving you new skin cells, healing cuts, and helping... Show more
The Four Stages of Mitosis: PMAT
Think of mitosis like a perfectly choreographed dance with four main moves. The acronym PMAT will be your best friend for remembering the sequence: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.
Prophase is all about preparation (hence the "P"). The cell's genetic information doubles, and the loose chromatin in the nucleus condenses into visible chromosomes. Picture DNA wrapping around proteins called histones like thread on a spool - this "beads on a string" structure becomes the tight chromosomes you see under a microscope.
The nuclear envelope completely breaks down during prophase, which is crucial because the centrioles (located outside the nucleus) need access to attach to chromosomes. These centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell and start forming the spindle fibres that will do the heavy lifting.
In Metaphase, everything lines up in the middle (think "M for middle"). The spindle fibres attach to the centromere of each chromosome pair, and all chromosomes arrange themselves along the cell's equator like soldiers in formation.
Quick Tip: If the chromosomes aren't perfectly lined up at the centre, the cell won't proceed - it's like a safety checkpoint to ensure equal division!
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Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis
Anaphase is when things move apart (think "A for away"). The sister chromatids separate as the spindle fibres shorten and pull them to opposite poles of the cell. This ensures each new cell gets exactly the same genetic information.
Telophase creates two distinct areas (think "T for two"). The chromosomes reach opposite ends and start to relax back into loose chromatin. New nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes, whilst the spindle fibres break down into smaller parts that will help build the cytoskeleton for the new cells.
Cytokinesis isn't technically part of mitosis, but it's the final step of cell division. The cytoplasm splits to create two separate cells. In animal cells, the plasma membrane pinches inward like tightening a belt until it splits completely.
Plant cells do cytokinesis differently because of their rigid cell walls. Instead of pinching, they build a cell plate down the middle, then form new plasma membranes and cell walls on each side.
Remember: Mitosis only divides the nucleus and DNA - cytokinesis divides everything else to complete the process!
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What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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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
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
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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