Answer:
During mitosis, the nucleus divides. Mitosis is followed by cytokinesis, when the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two cells. After cytokinesis, cell division is complete. Scientists say that one parent cell, or the dividing cell, forms two genetically identical daughter cells, or the cells that divide from the parent cell. The term "genetically identical" means that each cell has an identical set of DNA, and this DNA is also identical to that of the parent cell. If the cell cycle is not carefully controlled, it can cause a disease called cancer, which causes cell division to happen too fast. A tumor can result from this kind of growth.
During mitosis, the two sister chromatids must be split apart. Each resulting chromosome is made of 1/2 of the "X". Through this process, each daughter cell receives one copy of each chromosome. Mitosis is divided into four phases:
Prophase: The chromosomes "condense," or become so tightly wound that you can see them under a microscope. The wall around the nucleus, called the nuclear envelope, disappears. Spindles also form and attach to chromosomes to help them move.
Metaphase: The chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. The chromosomes line up in a row, one on top of the next.
Anaphase: The two sister chromatids of each chromosome separate, resulting in two sets of identical chromosomes.
Telophase: The spindle dissolves and nuclear envelopes form around the chromosomes in both cells.
