Cell Division: Mitosis, phases, and importance of Mitosis

Mitosis- a procedure of division in somatic cells

Mitosis is the most dramatic period of the cell cycle, involving a major reorganization of virtually all components of the cell. Since the number of
chromosomes in the parent and progeny cells are the same, it is also called as equational division.

it is very essential to understand that cell division is a progressive process and very clear-cut lines cannot be drawn between various stages. Mitosis is divided into the following four stages:
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase

Prophase
Prophase which is the first stage of mitosis follows the S and G2 phases of interphase.

Metaphase
The complete disintegration of the nuclear envelope marks the start of the second phase of mitosis, hence the chromosomes are spread through the cytoplasm of the cell.

Anaphase
At the onset of anaphase, each chromosome arranged at the metaphase plate is split simultaneously and the two daughter chromatids now referred to as chromosomes of the future daughter nuclei, begin their migration towards the two opposite poles.

Telophase
At the beginning of the final stage of mitosis, i.e., telophase, the chromosomes that have reached their respective poles decondense and lose their individuality.

Cytokinesis
Mitosis accomplishes not only the segregation of duplicated chromosomes into daughter nuclei (karyokinesis), but the cell itself is divided into two daughter cells by a separate a process called cytokinesis at the end of which cell division is complete. In an animal cell, this is achieved
by the appearance of a furrow in the plasma membrane.