Biology Flashcards: Describe Mitosis Stages

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This deck focuses on Describe Mitosis Stages, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for Biology.

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Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which stage comes immediately after metaphase in mitosis?

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatid separation follows chromosome alignment.

Flashcard 2: What must occur at kinetochores before anaphase begins?

Answer: Each sister chromatid must be attached to opposite spindle poles. Ensures equal chromosome distribution through bipolar attachment.

Flashcard 3: What is the defining event of metaphase?

Answer: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate. Chromosomes position for equal distribution to daughter cells.

Flashcard 4: What is mitosis?

Answer: Nuclear division that produces two genetically identical nuclei. Ensures genetic material is equally distributed to daughter cells.

Flashcard 5: What is the centromere?

Answer: Chromosome region that holds sister chromatids together. Attachment site for spindle fibers during chromosome movement.

Flashcard 6: Which mitosis stage has chromosomes most condensed and easiest to count?

Answer: Metaphase. Maximum condensation makes chromosomes clearly visible and countable.

Flashcard 7: What is a centrosome in animal cells during mitosis?

Answer: Microtubule-organizing center that forms spindle poles. Contains centrioles that organize spindle formation.

Flashcard 8: What happens to the nucleolus during telophase?

Answer: It reappears. Ribosome assembly site reforms in new nuclei.

Flashcard 9: What are sister chromatids?

Answer: Two identical copies of a replicated chromosome joined at a centromere. Result of DNA replication in S phase of cell cycle.

Flashcard 10: What is the defining event of anaphase?

Answer: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles. Chromosome copies move to create two identical nuclei.

Flashcard 11: Which stage occurs immediately before mitosis and includes DNA replication?

Answer: Interphase (S phase is when DNA replicates). Cell growth and DNA duplication prepare for division.

Flashcard 12: What structure forms the mitotic spindle?

Answer: Microtubules. Protein filaments that move chromosomes during division.

Flashcard 13: What happens to the nuclear envelope during prometaphase?

Answer: It breaks down. Nuclear barrier dissolves to allow spindle access to chromosomes.

Flashcard 14: What is the defining event of anaphase?

Answer: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles. Chromosome copies move to create two identical nuclei.

Flashcard 15: Identify the mitosis stage described: sister chromatids move toward opposite poles.

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatid separation and movement characterize this stage.

Flashcard 16: Identify the mitosis stage described: two nuclei form and chromosomes decondense.

Answer: Telophase. Nuclear reformation and chromosome decondensation occur here.

Flashcard 17: Which mitosis stage includes separation of sister chromatids?

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatids become independent daughter chromosomes.

Flashcard 18: Which mitosis stage includes re-formation of the nuclear envelope?

Answer: Telophase. Nuclear compartments reform around separated chromosome sets.

Flashcard 19: What is cytokinesis?

Answer: Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells. Physical separation creates two independent cells.

Flashcard 20: What is the correct order of mitosis stages (excluding interphase and cytokinesis)?

Answer: Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase. Standard sequence of nuclear division stages.

Flashcard 21: Identify the stage when chromosomes are maximally condensed and aligned, but not yet separated.

Answer: Metaphase. Chromosomes align but remain attached as sister chromatids.

Flashcard 22: Which stage comes immediately before telophase in mitosis?

Answer: Anaphase. Nuclear reformation follows chromosome separation.

Flashcard 23: Identify the structure that spindle microtubules attach to on each chromosome during mitosis.

Answer: Kinetochore. Protein complex where spindle fibers attach to chromosomes.

Flashcard 24: What are sister chromatids?

Answer: Two identical copies of a replicated chromosome joined at a centromere. Result of DNA replication in S phase of cell cycle.

Flashcard 25: What happens to the nuclear envelope during prometaphase?

Answer: It breaks down. Nuclear barrier dissolves to allow spindle access to chromosomes.

Flashcard 26: What structure forms the mitotic spindle?

Answer: Microtubules. Protein filaments that move chromosomes during division.

Flashcard 27: Which term describes the DNA-protein material before it condenses into chromosomes?

Answer: Chromatin. Loosely organized DNA-protein complex in non-dividing cells.

Flashcard 28: What is the centromere?

Answer: Chromosome region that holds sister chromatids together. Attachment site for spindle fibers during chromosome movement.

Flashcard 29: Which stage is described by formation of a cleavage furrow in an animal cell?

Answer: Cytokinesis. Contractile ring formation divides animal cell cytoplasm.

Flashcard 30: What is the relationship between mitosis and the cell cycle?

Answer: Mitosis is the nuclear division phase of the cell cycle (M phase). Nuclear division is one component of complete cell reproduction.

Flashcard 31: Which stage begins when cohesin is cleaved and sister chromatids can separate?

Answer: Anaphase. Cohesin cleavage triggers sister chromatid separation.

Flashcard 32: What is the defining event of telophase?

Answer: Nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes. Chromosomes are enclosed in separate nuclear compartments.

Flashcard 33: Choose the correct term: the plane where chromosomes align in metaphase is the  .

Answer: Metaphase plate. Imaginary equatorial plane where chromosomes align.

Flashcard 34: What is cytokinesis?

Answer: Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells. Physical separation creates two independent cells.

Flashcard 35: During anaphase, what does each separated sister chromatid become called?

Answer: A daughter chromosome. Individual chromatid becomes independent chromosome after separation.

Flashcard 36: What happens to kinetochore microtubules during anaphase?

Answer: They shorten to pull chromosomes toward the poles. Depolymerization creates pulling force on attached chromosomes.

Flashcard 37: Where do centrosomes move during prophase?

Answer: To opposite poles of the cell. Establishes bipolar spindle apparatus for chromosome separation.

Flashcard 38: Identify the stage when chromosomes are maximally condensed and aligned, but not yet separated.

Answer: Metaphase. Chromosomes align but remain attached as sister chromatids.

Flashcard 39: What happens to the nucleolus during prophase?

Answer: It disappears. Ribosome assembly site dissolves as nuclear organization changes.

Flashcard 40: What is a kinetochore?

Answer: Protein complex on a centromere where spindle microtubules attach. Connection point between chromosome and spindle apparatus.

Flashcard 41: What is the defining event of telophase?

Answer: Nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes. Chromosomes are enclosed in separate nuclear compartments.

Flashcard 42: Which process directly follows telophase to fully separate the two daughter cells?

Answer: Cytokinesis. Cytoplasmic division completes cell reproduction process.

Flashcard 43: Which mitosis stage includes re-formation of the nuclear envelope?

Answer: Telophase. Nuclear compartments reform around separated chromosome sets.

Flashcard 44: Which mitosis stage includes alignment of chromosomes at the cell equator?

Answer: Metaphase. Proper positioning ensures equal chromosome distribution.

Flashcard 45: Identify the mitosis stage described: nuclear envelope breaks and microtubules attach to kinetochores.

Answer: Prometaphase. Nuclear breakdown and spindle attachment define this transition.

Flashcard 46: What is prometaphase?

Answer: Stage when nuclear envelope breaks and spindle attaches to kinetochores. Transition phase between prophase and metaphase.

Flashcard 47: What happens to the nucleolus during telophase?

Answer: It reappears. Ribosome assembly site reforms in new nuclei.

Flashcard 48: What happens to kinetochore microtubules during anaphase?

Answer: They shorten to pull chromosomes toward the poles. Depolymerization creates pulling force on attached chromosomes.

Flashcard 49: Choose the correct term: the plane where chromosomes align in metaphase is the  .

Answer: Metaphase plate. Imaginary equatorial plane where chromosomes align.

Flashcard 50: Identify the mitosis stage described: chromosomes condense and spindle begins to form.

Answer: Prophase. Initial condensation and spindle formation characterize this stage.

Flashcard 51: In animal cells, what structure forms to begin cytokinesis?

Answer: A cleavage furrow. Pinching inward divides animal cell cytoplasm.

Flashcard 52: Identify the stage when a cell has two distinct nuclei forming within one cell body.

Answer: Telophase. Two nuclei form before cytoplasm divides completely.

Flashcard 53: Identify the mitosis stage described: chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate.

Answer: Metaphase. Chromosome alignment at cell center defines this stage.

Flashcard 54: Which mitosis stage has chromosomes most condensed and easiest to count?

Answer: Metaphase. Maximum condensation makes chromosomes clearly visible and countable.

Flashcard 55: What happens to non-kinetochore microtubules during anaphase?

Answer: They lengthen and push spindle poles apart. Elongation separates spindle poles and stretches the cell.

Flashcard 56: What is a kinetochore?

Answer: Protein complex on a centromere where spindle microtubules attach. Connection point between chromosome and spindle apparatus.

Flashcard 57: What is the main event of prophase in mitosis?

Answer: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes. DNA-protein complex becomes compact and visible under microscope.

Flashcard 58: What is a centrosome in animal cells during mitosis?

Answer: Microtubule-organizing center that forms spindle poles. Contains centrioles that organize spindle formation.

Flashcard 59: What is the metaphase plate?

Answer: Imaginary plane at the cell equator where chromosomes line up. Equatorial alignment ensures balanced chromosome distribution.

Flashcard 60: What is the correct order of mitosis stages (excluding interphase and cytokinesis)?

Answer: Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase. Standard sequence of nuclear division stages.

Flashcard 61: What happens to chromosomes during telophase?

Answer: They decondense back into chromatin. Chromosomes return to extended form for gene expression.

Flashcard 62: In animal cells, what structure forms to begin cytokinesis?

Answer: A cleavage furrow. Pinching inward divides animal cell cytoplasm.

Flashcard 63: What is the defining event of metaphase?

Answer: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate. Chromosomes position for equal distribution to daughter cells.

Flashcard 64: Which mitosis stage includes separation of sister chromatids?

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatids become independent daughter chromosomes.

Flashcard 65: Identify the stage when a cell has two distinct nuclei forming within one cell body.

Answer: Telophase. Two nuclei form before cytoplasm divides completely.

Flashcard 66: What does the plant cell plate develop into after cytokinesis?

Answer: A new cell wall between the daughter cells. Creates permanent barrier between daughter plant cells.

Flashcard 67: What happens to non-kinetochore microtubules during anaphase?

Answer: They lengthen and push spindle poles apart. Elongation separates spindle poles and stretches the cell.

Flashcard 68: What happens to chromosomes during telophase?

Answer: They decondense back into chromatin. Chromosomes return to extended form for gene expression.

Flashcard 69: What is the metaphase plate?

Answer: Imaginary plane at the cell equator where chromosomes line up. Equatorial alignment ensures balanced chromosome distribution.

Flashcard 70: What forms the contractile ring that creates the cleavage furrow in animal cells?

Answer: Actin and myosin filaments. Contractile proteins create constricting force for cell division.

Flashcard 71: Identify the mitosis stage described: nuclear envelope breaks and microtubules attach to kinetochores.

Answer: Prometaphase. Nuclear breakdown and spindle attachment define this transition.

Flashcard 72: In plant cells, what structure forms during cytokinesis?

Answer: A cell plate. Plant cells build wall rather than pinch to divide.

Flashcard 73: What is mitosis?

Answer: Nuclear division that produces two genetically identical nuclei. Ensures genetic material is equally distributed to daughter cells.

Flashcard 74: Which stage is described by formation of a cleavage furrow in an animal cell?

Answer: Cytokinesis. Contractile ring formation divides animal cell cytoplasm.

Flashcard 75: What happens to the nucleolus during prophase?

Answer: It disappears. Ribosome assembly site dissolves as nuclear organization changes.

Flashcard 76: Which stage comes immediately after metaphase in mitosis?

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatid separation follows chromosome alignment.

Flashcard 77: Which mitosis stage includes alignment of chromosomes at the cell equator?

Answer: Metaphase. Proper positioning ensures equal chromosome distribution.

Flashcard 78: Where do centrosomes move during prophase?

Answer: To opposite poles of the cell. Establishes bipolar spindle apparatus for chromosome separation.

Flashcard 79: Which stage is missing from this correct sequence: prophase → ? → metaphase → anaphase → telophase?

Answer: Prometaphase. Transition stage between prophase and metaphase.

Flashcard 80: What is prometaphase?

Answer: Stage when nuclear envelope breaks and spindle attaches to kinetochores. Transition phase between prophase and metaphase.

Flashcard 81: Which stage is missing from this correct sequence: prophase → ? → metaphase → anaphase → telophase?

Answer: Prometaphase. Transition stage between prophase and metaphase.

Flashcard 82: Identify the mitosis stage described: sister chromatids move toward opposite poles.

Answer: Anaphase. Sister chromatid separation and movement characterize this stage.

Flashcard 83: During anaphase, what does each separated sister chromatid become called?

Answer: A daughter chromosome. Individual chromatid becomes independent chromosome after separation.

Flashcard 84: Which mitosis stage includes spindle attachment to kinetochores?

Answer: Prometaphase. Spindle-chromosome connections form during this transition stage.

Flashcard 85: What is the main event of prophase in mitosis?

Answer: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes. DNA-protein complex becomes compact and visible under microscope.

Flashcard 86: What must occur at kinetochores before anaphase begins?

Answer: Each sister chromatid must be attached to opposite spindle poles. Ensures equal chromosome distribution through bipolar attachment.

Flashcard 87: What forms the contractile ring that creates the cleavage furrow in animal cells?

Answer: Actin and myosin filaments. Contractile proteins create constricting force for cell division.