Mitosis Coloring - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to figure out what each stage in the diagram represents. This is showing the stages of cell division — specifically, mitosis (which is how body cells divide).

We’ll label each number from 1 to 5 based on what’s happening in that stage.

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Stage 1:
- The cell has a nucleus with tangled threads (chromatin) and a dark spot (nucleolus).
- There’s also a pair of centrioles outside the nucleus.
- This is the starting point — before division begins.
→ This is Interphase (specifically late interphase, just before mitosis starts). But since this diagram shows the beginning of mitosis, and chromatin is still uncondensed, it’s often labeled as Prophase if we’re counting mitotic phases only. Wait — let’s look closer.

Actually, in many simplified diagrams:
- Stage 1 = Chromosomes are not yet visible; nuclear envelope intact → Interphase or early Prophase?
But note: In stage 2, chromosomes are condensed and visible inside a dashed circle (breaking down nucleus), so stage 1 must be before prophase — meaning Interphase.

However, some textbooks start labeling mitosis at Prophase. Let’s check standard mitosis stages:

Standard order:
1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase
5. Cytokinesis

Wait — but here there are 5 numbered stages, and stage 5 shows two separate cells forming — that’s cytokinesis.

So let’s match:

Stage 1: Nucleus intact, chromatin loose, centrioles present → This is actually late Interphase, but since mitosis hasn’t started yet, and the next stage shows condensing chromosomes, this might be considered Prophase? No — in Prophase, chromosomes start condensing.

Looking again:

In Stage 2: Chromosomes are X-shaped (condensed), nuclear envelope breaking (dashed line), spindle fibers starting to form → That’s classic Prophase.

Then Stage 3: Chromosomes lined up in middle → Metaphase

Stage 4: Sister chromatids pulled apart to opposite poles → Anaphase

Stage 5: Two nuclei forming, cell pinching in middle → Telophase + Cytokinesis

But then what is Stage 1?

Stage 1: Before any of that — nucleus intact, chromatin not condensed, centrioles duplicated but not moved yet → This is Interphase (G2 phase, right before mitosis).

But sometimes in these diagrams, they label the first mitotic stage as “1” even if it’s Prophase.

Wait — let’s count the arrows:

The cycle goes:
1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → back to 1? Or is 5 the end?

Arrow from 5 points back to 1 — so it’s a cycle.

That means Stage 1 is the resting/preparation stage — Interphase

Then:

2 = Prophase
3 = Metaphase
4 = Anaphase
5 = Telophase/Cytokinesis

Yes — that fits.

Confirming:

- Stage 1: Cell preparing for division — DNA replicated, organelles duplicated, but no visible chromosomes yet → Interphase
- Stage 2: Chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane breaks down, spindle forms → Prophase
- Stage 3: Chromosomes align at equator → Metaphase
- Stage 4: Sister chromatids separate and move to poles → Anaphase
- Stage 5: Nuclear membranes reform, cytoplasm divides → Telophase and Cytokinesis

Perfect.

Now, write the answers clearly:

1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase (and Cytokinesis)

Some may say "Cytokinesis" for stage 5, but technically telophase is when nuclei reform, and cytokinesis is the splitting — they happen together here.

In most school-level diagrams, stage 5 is called Telophase or Telophase/Cytokinesis.

But since the question likely expects one word per blank, and given the image shows two daughter cells forming, “Cytokinesis” might be expected — but wait, in biology, the five stages of the cell cycle including mitosis are:

Often taught as:

Mitosis phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase — plus Cytokinesis separately.

But here, stage 5 includes both nuclear reformation and cell splitting — so it’s fine to call it Telophase (as cytokinesis overlaps).

To be precise, let’s see common textbook labeling:

Many sources label:

1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase

And mention cytokinesis occurs during telophase.

Alternatively, some label stage 5 as “Cytokinesis”.

But looking at the drawing: in stage 5, you can see two distinct nuclei forming AND the cell membrane pinching — so it’s combining both.

However, in multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank contexts, especially with 5 blanks matching the 5 drawings, the standard answer is:

1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase

Because cytokinesis isn't always counted as a separate *mitotic* phase — mitosis ends with telophase, then cytokinesis happens.

But in this diagram, since stage 5 clearly shows the physical separation, and arrow leads back to stage 1 (new cells), it's acceptable to label it Telophase.

I think safest is:

Final Answer:

1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase

(With understanding that cytokinesis is part of stage 5.)

Double-checking online resources or standard curriculum — yes, this is typical.

For example, Khan Academy or Biology Corner (note watermark says biologycorner.com) uses:

Their own materials often label:

Diagram like this:

1 = Interphase
2 = Prophase
3 = Metaphase
4 = Anaphase
5 = Telophase

Yes.

So we're good.

Final Answer:
1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase