The Stages of Mitosis in Animal and Plant Cells

Explanation:
This worksheet asks you to label the stages of mitosis in animal and plant cells, using the correct phase names and matching them to the proper diagrams.

Mitosis has 4 main stages (plus interphase, which is *before* mitosis starts):

1. Prophase – Chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope breaks down, spindle forms.
2. Metaphase – Chromosomes line up in the middle (equator) of the cell.
3. Anaphase – Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
4. Telophase – Nuclear envelopes reform, chromosomes decondense; often followed by cytokinesis (cell splits).

Also, remember:
- In animal cells, cytokinesis happens by cleavage furrow (pinching).
- In plant cells, cytokinesis happens by forming a cell plate (because of the rigid cell wall).

Now let’s match each diagram (top row = animal cells, bottom row = plant cells), left to right:

Top row (animal cells):
1. First diagram: Chromosomes are condensed and scattered, nuclear membrane gone → Prophase
2. Second: Chromosomes lined up single-file at center → Metaphase
3. Third: Chromatids pulled apart to poles → Anaphase
4. Fourth: Two nuclei forming, cell pinching → Telophase & Cytokinesis

Bottom row (plant cells):
1. First: Chromosomes condensed, no nucleus, spindle visible → Prophase
2. Second: Chromosomes aligned at equator → Metaphase
3. Third: Chromatids separated → Anaphase
4. Fourth: Two nuclei, cell plate forming in middle (not pinching) → Telophase & Cytokinesis

So the labels (in order, top row then bottom row, left to right) are:

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase / Cytokinesis
5. Prophase
6. Metaphase
7. Anaphase
8. Telophase / Cytokinesis

Some worksheets combine telophase and cytokinesis as one stage since they overlap.

Final Answer:
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase/Cytokinesis, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase/Cytokinesis