Preparation Stage
Cell division begins during interphase, where the cell grows and replicates its DNA. The cell synthesizes proteins needed for division and duplicates organelles. Chromosomes, containing the copied DNA, condense into visible structures. This preparatory phase ensures all necessary components are ready for the complex process of division.
Mitotic Division
During mitosis, nuclear division occurs in distinct phases. Prophase begins as chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down. In metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equator. Anaphase separates sister chromatids to opposite poles, while telophase reforms nuclear envelopes around the separated chromosomes. This precise sequence ensures each daughter cell receives identical genetic material.
Cytoplasm Separation
The final stage, cytokinesis, divides the cell's cytoplasm. In animal cells, a contractile ring of protein filaments pinches the cell in two. Plant cells form a cell plate that grows outward to separate the cells. This process completes cell division, producing two identical daughter cells ready to begin their own life cycles. Shutdown123