Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Practice

What are the steps of mitosis in cell division?

1. Interphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

2. Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase

3. Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

4. Prophase, Metaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis

The correct answer is: Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

The correct answer accurately lists the sequential stages of mitosis, which include Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. These stages represent key phases in the process of cell division. During Prophase, the chromatin condenses into distinct chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope begins to break down. The spindle apparatus forms, and microtubules extend from the centrosomes to the chromosomes. In Metaphase, chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate at the cell's equator due to the action of the spindle fibers, ensuring that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes. Anaphase follows, where the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite poles of the cell, ensuring that each pole has an equal and complete set of chromosomes. Lastly, Telophase occurs, where the chromosomes begin to decondense back into chromatin, the nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes at the poles, completing the mitotic phase. Although Interphase is essential for preparing the cell for mitosis, it is not considered one of the stages of mitosis itself. Cytokinesis, while important in the cell division process, occurs after the telophase and is not technically a stage of mit