During interphase, DNA is stretched out and read by the cell while chromosomes replicate but cannot be seen. In prophase, the nucleus disappears, sister chromatids pair up to form visible chromosomes, and centrioles duplicate and move to the poles. In metaphase, spindle fibers appear and line chromosomes up along the middle. In anaphase, spindle fibers pull the chromatids apart toward the centrioles. In telophase, spindle fibers and centrioles disappear as nuclei form around new chromosome sets and the cell splits into two identical cells through cytokinesis.

1. Interphase
1. DNA is stretched
out and is being
read by the cell
2. Chromosomes
replicate.
3. Chromosomes
cannot be seen
Nucleus
Cell Membrane

2. Prophase
1. Nucleus starts to
disappear.
2. Sister Chromatids
pair up to form
chromosomes,
which now can be
seen.
3. Centrioles duplicate
and move to the
poles
Centromere

3. Metaphase
1. Spindle Fibers
appear.
2. Chromosomes line
up along the middle
of the spindle.
3. Fibers attach to
centromere.
Spindle Fibers

4. Anaphase
1. Spindle fibers pull
the chromosomes
apart
2. Chromatids are
pulled to the
centrioles.

5. Telophase
1. Spindle Fibers and
centrioles
disappear.
2. Nucleus reappears
around each of the
new sets of
chromosomes.
3. Cell starts to form a
break at the middle
and starts to pinch
in at the sides.

6. Telophase (continued)
4. Cell continues to split at the mid-line forming two cells
that are completely identical. This cell splitting is
called cytokinesis

7. Telophase (continued)
4. Cell continues to split at the mid-line forming two cells
that are completely identical. This cell splitting is
called cytokinesis