Mitosis is the process by which a parent cell divides into two daughter cells, each with the same number and type of chromosomes as the original parent cell. It occurs in four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During prophase, the nuclear envelope breaks down and chromosomes condense. In metaphase, chromosomes line up along the center of the cell. Anaphase follows, where the pairs of chromatids separate and move to opposite poles. Finally, in telophase, the daughter nuclei form and cytokinesis completes the division of the cytoplasmic contents, resulting in two daughter cells.