Everything Life Sciences Grade 10

FACT

HINT: The stages of

the cell cycle

(interphase,

prophase,

metaphase,

anaphase,

telophase) can be

remembered by

using the

mnemonicIPMAT.

FACT

In plant cells there

are no centrioles to

move to the poles,

so spindle fibres

form in the

cytoplasm.

2. Metaphase

During metaphase, chromosomes line up on theequatorof the cell. The chromosomes
appear in a straight line across the middle of the cell. Each chromosome is attached to the
spindle fibres by its centromere.

Schematic diagram: animal cell Micrograph: plant cell

3. Anaphase

During anaphase the chromatids are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by the shortening of
the spindle fibres. The chromatids are now calleddaughter chromosomes.

Schematic diagram: animal cell Micrograph: plant cell

4. Telophase

During telophase, a nuclear membrane reforms around the daughter chromosomes that have
gathered at each of the poles. The daughter chromosomes uncoil to form chromatin once
again. The nuclear membrane reforms.

Chapter 4. Cell division 101