Stages of The Cell Cycle

Telophase

This is the last phase of mitosis. During this phase, new nuclear membranes form. A new nuclear envelope has also formed and the spindle fibers have disappeared. Additionally, there are two new nuclei.

Metaphase

This is the second phase of mitosis. During this phase, the chromosomes all line up down the middle of the cell. Additionally, the nuclear membrane has now disappeared completely.

Anaphase

This is the third phase of mitosis. During this phase, the chromosomes pull apart from each other and move to opposite sides of the cell. This process is caused from the split of the centromere of each chromosome. These chromosomes have been pulled by spindle fibers, which has subsequently caused the cell to stretch out.

Cytokinesis

This is the final phase of the cell cycle. This phase starts around the same time as telephase. This phase results in the cell splitting into two identical daughter cells. The two daughter cells both contain the same chromosome set and about half the organelles of the parent cell. Differences in this phase in Animal and Plant Cells: Animal Cells: The cell membrane squeezes together around the middle of the cell. The cytoplasm pinches into two cells. As mentioned above, each daughter cell receives about half the organelles of the parent cell. Plant Cells: A plant cell's rigid cell wall cannot squeeze together in the same way that a cell membrane can. However, a cell plate, a structure native only to a plant cell, forms across the middle of the cell. This cell plate starts to form new cell membranes between the daughter cells. The new cell walls then form around the cell membranes.

Prophase

This is the first phase of mitosis. During this phase, the nucleus condenses. The centrioles start to move to opposite ends of the cell. The spindle fibers start to form a bridge to connect the ends of the cell.

Interphase

This is the first stage of the cell cycle and occurs before mitosis. During this phase, the cell grows, makes a copy of its DNA (the chromosomes are copied), and prepares to divide into two cells. The two structures that are being copied are cylindrical in shape and are called centrioles.