During interphase, the cell grows in size and replicates its DNA, creating two complete sets. The cell continues to grow and produce materials for the daughter cells that will form. Mitosis then begins, starting with prophase where the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down. In metaphase, the chromosomes align in the center. Anaphase follows, separating the sister chromatids to opposite sides. Telophase ends mitosis as the nuclear envelope reforms and cytokinesis physically divides the cell into two identical daughter cells, completing the cell cycle.

1. Cell Cycle FlipbookBy Taylor Reeves-Grade 9 Science

2. Interphase-Growth and PreparationDuring this first stage of interphase, the cell’s size increases while it creates proteins and nutrients essential for survival.

4. Interphase-ReplicationDuring the replication stage, the DNA makes a replica (copy) of itself. During this process the cell has two complete sets of DNA. The DNA is located in chromatin, which is contained in the nucleus.

6. Interphase-Continued Growth & Preparation After the DNA replication, the cell keeps growing and making materials, such as protein, for the ‘daughter’ cells that will be formed after cytokinesis.

10. Mitosis-Early ProphaseDuring early Prophase, the chromosomes that were replicated during the ‘Replication’ stage coil up into an ‘X’ shape and become visible under a microscope. The nucleolus disappears and the nuclear membrane starts to break down. Spindle fibres, tiny tube-like structures, begin to appear as well as centrioles, organelles that organize the fibres.

16. Mitosis-Late ProphaseIn late Prophase, the spindle fibres finish forming and attach their centromeres to the chromosomes. The nuclear membrane disappears.

18. Mitosis-MetaphaseIn Metaphase, the spindle fibres pull the chromosomes into the middle of the cell.

21. Mitosis-AnaphaseIn Anaphase, the spindle fibres shorten and pull the chromosomes apart, allowing the sister chromatids to move to opposite poles. After separation, the chromatids are considered chromasomes.

30. Mitosis-TelophaseIn Telophase, the final stage of Mitosis, a complete set of chromosomes have now moved to opposite poles. The spindle fibres start to disappear while a nuclear membrane forms around the chromosomes. A nucleolus also forms in each newly formed nucleus, meaning the cell is ready to divide.

32. CytokinesisThe final stage of the cell cycle, Cytokinesis, is when the cell finally divides. The nuclei separate into two daughter cells. The new cells are identical to the parent cells. In animals, the membrane pinches together to form these daughter cells, while in plants a plate forms to divide the cell.

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