Which phase immediately follows prophase during mitosis?

Which phase immediately follows prophase during mitosis?

• A. Metaphase
• B. Interphase
• C. Anaphase
• D. Telophase

Answer: (A)

The phase immediately after prophase is metaphase. After prophase, when the chromosomes have condensed and the spindle apparatus is forming, metaphase aligns the chromosomes along the cell’s equatorial plane—the metaphase plate. This alignment is achieved as microtubules from opposite spindle poles attach to the kinetochores of each chromosome and pull them into a single plane, ensuring that sister chromatids will be separated evenly in the next stage. Interphase happens before mitosis, during which the cell grows and duplicates its DNA; anaphase follows metaphase as the sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles; telophase comes after anaphase as new nuclear membranes form around the separated chromatids.

The phase immediately after prophase is metaphase. After prophase, when the chromosomes have condensed and the spindle apparatus is forming, metaphase aligns the chromosomes along the cell’s equatorial plane—the metaphase plate. This alignment is achieved as microtubules from opposite spindle poles attach to the kinetochores of each chromosome and pull them into a single plane, ensuring that sister chromatids will be separated evenly in the next stage. Interphase happens before mitosis, during which the cell grows and duplicates its DNA; anaphase follows metaphase as the sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles; telophase comes after anaphase as new nuclear membranes form around the separated chromatids.