Name:______________​KEY​_______________Date:_______

MITOSIS COLORING
Cell division includes a very important process called ​MITOSIS​ where the nucleus creates a copy of all of its DNA so that
each new cell is an exact copy of the parent cell and contains the same number of chromosomes. The cell cycle has five
phases, but mitosis, or nuclear division, occurs in four steps: ​Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase​. A phase
called ​interphase​ is not actually part of mitosis, but is the resting phase that the cell is in when it is not dividing.

1. Interphase.​ A cell spends most of its time in this “in between” phase, performing cell activities like cellular respiration,
osmosis, and for plant cells, photosynthesis. During this phase, the DNA is uncoiled and appears as thread-like
structures called ​chromatin​ within the nucleus. The DNA will also make a copy of itself during this time.
Shade the thread-like chromatin blue and the surrounding nuclear membrane yellow .

A pair of centrioles are present (but inactive in the cytoplasm) in the cell Color the ​centrioles​ red .

2. Prophase. ​This is the first step of mitosis. The ​nuclear membrane​ breaks apart and is now seen on the
model as dotted lines. Color the nuclear membrane yellow in this phase also.

The ​chromatin​ condenses into ​chromosomes​ and appear as X-shaped structures consisting of two
individual chromatids. Color the chromosomes and chromatids blue.

The centrioles form a star shaped structure called the ​aster.​ Color the centrioles and aster red.

Threads form between the asters that pull the chromosomes into position. Color the ​spindle​ green.

3. Metaphase. ​During this stage of mitosis, the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell along the ​equator​. Each
chromosome attaches itself to a spindle fiber. Color the chromosomes blue and the spindle green, just like you did in the
other phases.

4. Anaphase.​ During anaphase the ​chromatids​ are pulled apart by the spindle and move to opposite sides of the cell.
Color the chromatids blue.

5. Telophase.​ Now that the chromosomes are separated, two nuclei are formed. The spindle fibers disappear; the
chromosomes uncoil and become spaghetti-like chromatin again, and the nuclear membrane reappears. ​C​ytokinesis​ ​is
where the cytoplasm splits into two daughter cells and usually occurs simultaneously with telophase. Color all the
structures in this phase the same as the other phases.

Questions:

1. What is the name for the “in between” phase in cell divisions? ______​interphase​_________
2. In interphase, the DNA is in the form of loose threads called ______​chromatin​___________.
3. During prophase, DNA condenses into X-shaped structures called: ___​chromosomes​__________.
4. During metaphase the chromosomes line up along the ____​equator​______ of the cell.
5. During what stage do the chromosomes pull apart? _______​anaphase​___________
6. The cytoplasm splits into two daughter cells during this process: _______​cytokinesis​_________.
7. What structure reappears during telophase? __________​nucleus (nuclear membrane)​________
8. During which stage does the DNA copy itself? _______​interphase​________
9. The spindle attaches to what structures? _________​centrioles​__________
10. During what phase does the spindle form? ______​prophase​_______________

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 Name:__________________________________________________Date:_______

MITOSIS COLORING
Cell division includes a very important process called ​MITOSIS​ where the nucleus creates a copy of all of its DNA so that
each new cell is an exact copy of the parent cell and contains the same number of chromosomes. The cell cycle has five
phases, but mitosis, or nuclear division, occurs in four steps: ​Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.​ A phase
called ​interphase​ is not actually part of mitosis, but is the resting phase that the cell is in when it is not dividing.

1. Interphase.​ A cell spends most of its time in this “in between” phase, performing cell activities like cellular respiration,
osmosis, and for plant cells, photosynthesis. During this phase, the DNA is uncoiled and appears as thread-like
structures called ​chromatin​ within the nucleus. The DNA will also make a copy of itself during this time.
Shade the thread-like chromatin blue and the surrounding nuclear membrane yellow .

A pair of centrioles are present (but inactive in the cytoplasm) in the cell Color the ​centrioles​ red .

2. Prophase. ​This is the first step of mitosis. The ​nuclear membrane​ breaks apart and is now seen on the
model as dotted lines. Color the nuclear membrane yellow in this phase also.

The ​chromatin​ condenses into ​chromosomes​ and appear as X-shaped structures consisting of two
individual chromatids. Color the chromosomes and chromatids blue.

The centrioles form a star shaped structure called the ​aster.​ Color the centrioles and aster red.

Threads form between the asters that pull the chromosomes into position. Color the ​spindle​ green.

3. Metaphase. ​During this stage of mitosis, the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell along the ​equator.​ Each
chromosome attaches itself to a spindle fiber. Color the chromosomes blue and the spindle green, just like you did in the
other phases.

4. Anaphase.​ During anaphase the ​chromatids​ are pulled apart by the spindle and move to opposite sides of the cell.
Color the chromatids blue.

5. Telophase.​ Now that the chromosomes are separated, two nuclei are formed. The spindle fibers disappear; the
chromosomes uncoil and become spaghetti-like chromatin again, and the nuclear membrane reappears. ​C​ytokinesis​ ​is
where the cytoplasm splits into two daughter cells and usually occurs simultaneously with telophase. Color all the
structures in this phase the same as the other phases.

Questions:

1. What is the name for the “in between” phase in cell divisions? _________________________
2. In interphase, the DNA is in the form of loose threads called ___________________________.
3. During prophase, DNA condenses into X-shaped structures called: __________________________.
4. During metaphase the chromosomes line up along the ______________________ of the cell.
5. During what stage do the chromosomes pull apart? ___________________________
6. The cytoplasm splits into two daughter cells during this process: ______________________________.
7. What structure reappears during telophase? ____________________________________________
8. During which stage does the DNA copy itself? ____________________________________
9. The spindle attaches to what structures? ______________________________________
10. During what phase does the spindle form? _______________________________

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