Mitosis

Mitosis is cell division that produce genetically identical cells.

In mitosis.. a parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. It's needed for growth and for repairing damaged tissues.

Interphase - comes before mitosis in the cell cycle.

The cell carries out normal functions, but also prepares to divide. The cell's DNA is unravelled and replicated, to double its genetic content. The organelles are also replicated so it has spare ones, and its ATP content is increased (as it provides the energy needed for cell division)

Prophase

The chromosomes condense, getting shorter and fatter. Tiny bundles of protein called centrioles start moving to opposite ends of the cell, forming a network of protein fibres across the spindle. The nuclear envelope breaks down and chromosomes lie free in the cytoplasm.

Metaphase

The chromosomes (each with two chromatids) line up along the middle of the cell and become attached to the spindle by their centromere.

Anaphase

The centromeres divide, separating each pair of sister chromatids. The spindles contract, pulling chromatids to the opposite ends of the cell, centromere first.

Telophase

The chromatids reach the opposite poles on the spindle. They uncoil and become long and thin again. They're now called chromosomes again. A nuclear envelope forms around each group of chromosomes, so there are now two nuclei. The cytoplasm divides and there are now two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original cell and to each other. Mitosis is finished and each daughter cell starts the interphase part of the cell cycle to get ready for the next round of mitosis.