Stages of mitosis - Metaphase

Stages of mitosis. Only two pairs of chromosomes from a diploid (2n) cell are shown here. The photographs show mitosis in a mouse cell; the DNA is stained blue and the microtubules of the spindle fibers are stained green.

(e) Metaphase
All chromosomes have become lined up at the equator of the fully formed microtubular spindle. At this stage of mitosis and the cell cycle, chromosomes are in their most tightly condensed form.

(f) Anaphase
Attachments between the two sister chromatids of each chromosome break. The two are separate chromosomes, and microtubules move toward opposite spindle poles.

(g) Telophase
There are two clusters of chromosomes, which decondense. Patches of new membrane fuse to form a new nuclear envelope. Mitosis is completed.

(i) Interphase Now there are two daughter cells. Each is diploid; its nucleus has two of each type of chromosome, just like the parent cell.