Cells are the most basic, living structural and functional living units of the body. In order for growth and repair to happen the cells must go through cell division; this is called mitosis. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells after going through four stages, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Before the somatic cells (body cells except reproductive) undergo mitosis, they must go through interphase in which they spend 78% of their time. This begins with the G1 phase where the cells make a variety of proteins that are necessary for DNA replication. During the S phase of interphase, the chromosomes are replicated; these are a structure composed of DNA and protein that carries genetic information of an organism. After chromosomes replicate they now consist of two sister chromatids attached together at a centromere. The last phase of interphase is the G2 phase. During this stage many proteins are synthesized, of most importance to mitosis, microtubules are produced. …show more content…
During this stage the DNA and the protein condense in the nucleus; these are referred to as chromatin. The chromatin coils forming more visible chromosomes. Replicated chromosomes make an X and are called sister chromatids. These identical copies join together at the centromere. The formation of microtubules begins or long protein that are responsible for separating the sister chromatids equally, dividing the chromosomes to each side of the cell. In prometaphase the nuclear envelope is breaking apart, and the microtubules begin to attach to the kinetochore. Kinetochore is a protein like structure that forms on the chromatid that allows the spindle to attach to the