Identify and briefly explain the four stages of mitosis.

1 . Prophase: Each chromosome thickens and shortens. The centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell and form the mitotic spindle. Some of these spindle fibers attach to the chromatids. The nuclear membrane breaks down toward the end of prophase.
3 . Metaphase: The chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. The chromatids are partially separated but still remain joined at the centromere.
3 . Anaphase: The chromatids separate to form individual chromosomes, which are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.
4 . Telephase: The nuclear membrane of the two daughter cells reform, and the cytoplasm divides, forming two daughter cells, each an exact duplicate of the parent cell.