chromosomes as the original cell. Mitosis consists of several distinct phases:
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Prophase: The chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope begins to break down. The mitotic spindle forms and starts to position itself to separate the chromosomes.
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Metaphase: The chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, known as the metaphase plate. The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes via kinetochores.
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Anaphase: The sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers, moving toward opposite poles of the cell. This ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.
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Telophase: The separated chromatids reach the poles, and the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, which begin to de-condense back into chromatin.
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Cytokinesis: Although technically not part of mitosis itself, cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two distinct daughter cells, each with an identical set of chromosomes and organelles.
The entire process is critical for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms.