The phases of mitosis can be described as follows:

During prophase chromatin condenses to form discrete chromosomes.

During metaphase microtubules attach to the kinetochores and chromatids begin segregating.

During anaphase sister chromatids have been separated and reside at opposite poles of the cell.

During telophase both sets of chromatids are surround by new nuclear membranes and chromosomes decondense into chromatin.

Cytokinesis (the dividing of the cytoplasm into two cells) follows telophase.

If the cell were arrested during telophase, distinct chromatids would no longer be visible.

Mitosis has only one round of chromosome separation and creates all cells, other than sex cells. For example skin cells. This process ends with two diploid cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

Meiosis is the process that generates the cells that occur in sexual reproduction cells, otherwise known as gametes. This process, since it has two rounds of chromosome separation, will end with 4 haploid cells, or half the genetic information of the parent cell.

Prophase is the first stage of mitosis. The cell cytoplasm and nucleus undergo several changes. At this point the mitotic spindle is forming but the nucleus is still intact. In this phase the chromosomes become tightly packed and the nucleoli disappear. Each chromosome is paired with its sister chromatid joined in the middle at the centromere.

The mitosis (M) phase of the cell cycle has four sequential stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. In the first stage, prophase, each chromosome becomes condensed and more visible, and there is the breakdown of the nuclear membrane and appearance of spindle fibers. In the next phase, metaphase, the chromosomes line up along the metaphasic plate. The spindle fibers are completely formed and are attached to each sister chromatid of the chromosomes. Next, during anaphase, the centromeres holding the sister chromatids together are divided and the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers to opposite poles of the diving cell. During the last phase of mitosis, telophase, the two sets of chromosomes reach the poles of the cell. This is followed by the reformation of the nuclear envelope, uncoiling of the DNA, and disappearance of the spindle fibers.

The cell pictured above is in prophase. Key indicators that the cell is in this stage are that the nuclear envelope is still intact and chromosomes have become condensed and paired up with sister chromatids.

Centromeres are the structures at the center of each chromosome that hold the sister chomatids together. The division of the centromeres occurs during anaphase. This allows for the separation of each sister chromatid into its respective daughter cell.

Mitosis has four sequential stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. In prophase, each chromosome becomes condensed and more visible, and there is the breakdown of the nuclear membrane and appearance of spindle fibers. In the next phase, metaphase, the chromosomes line up along the metaphasic plate. The spindle fibers are completely formed and are attached to each sister chromatid of the chromosomes. Next, during anaphase, the centromeres holding the sister chromatids together are divided and the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers to opposite poles of the diving cell. During the last phase of mitosis, telophase, the two sets of chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell. This is followed by the reformation of the nuclear envelope, uncoiling of the DNA, and disappearance of the spindle fibers. After the M phase is the separation of the cytoplasm, known as cytokinesis, which results in two distinct daughter cells.

The cell in the picture about is in the prometphase stage. Key indicators of this phase are the breakdown of the nuclear envelope around the genetic material and the spindle beginning to interact with the chromosomes.

Metaphase is characterized by the lining up of chromosomes along the "metaphase plate," an imaginary line that divides the cell in half. Following metaphase and during anaphase, the sister chromatids will separate and move towards the poles of the cell.

Mitosis is cellular cloning. This means that Mitosis ends with two identical cells; no variation. Mitosis is how the body repairs skin and other tissues. Because the tissue being repaired needs to match its neighboring cell, there is no need for variation which is exactly what crossing over does. It mixes-n-matches the genetic material amongst chromosomes, which helps to give rise to the variation we see amongst our own species and in all animals that reproduce sexually (Meiosis).

The condensed chromosomes are aligned on the metaphase plate (an imaginary line in the middle of the cell). They align this way because of the microtubules that are pulling them to the opposite sides.