M Phase of the Cell Cycle

Nucleus Biology2 minutes read

The M phase of the cell cycle involves mitosis and cytokinesis, with mitosis divided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Following mitosis, cytokinesis occurs, resulting in two identical daughter cells through cell division.

Insights

  • Mitosis is a crucial process in cell division, involving distinct phases like prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, each with specific functions such as chromosome condensation, alignment, separation, and reformation of the nuclear membrane, ultimately resulting in the formation of two identical daughter cells.
  • Cytokinesis, following mitosis, leads to the division of the cytoplasm, with animal cells pinching the cell membrane to create daughter cells and plant cells forming a cell plate due to their rigid cell wall, highlighting the different mechanisms by which cells complete the cell cycle and produce new cells.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What are the stages of mitosis?

    Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

  • What is cytokinesis?

    Division of the cytoplasm

  • How do spindle fibers function in mitosis?

    Align chromosomes during metaphase

  • What happens during anaphase in mitosis?

    Sister chromatids separate into individual chromosomes

  • How do daughter cells form after mitosis?

    Through cytokinesis, dividing the cytoplasm

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Cell Cycle: Mitosis and Cytokinesis in M Phase

  • The M phase of the cell cycle involves mitosis and cytokinesis, which are part of cell division. Mitosis consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Prophase sees chromatin condensing into chromosomes, spindle fibers forming, and the disappearance of the nucleolus and nuclear membrane.
  • Metaphase involves the alignment of chromosomes along the cell equator by spindle fibers, while anaphase separates sister chromatids into individual chromosomes that move towards the poles. Telophase marks the reformation of the nuclear membrane, dispersal of chromosomes into chromatin, and the reappearance of the nucleolus, completing the division of the nucleus.
  • Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, follows mitosis. In animal cells, the cell membrane pinches inward to create two daughter cells, while plant cells form a cell plate due to their rigid cell wall. The M phase always results in two identical daughter cells, mirroring the original cell that underwent mitosis.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.