Stages of Mitosis worksheet with labeled diagrams of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Let’s figure out the correct order of the stages of mitosis.

Mitosis is how a cell divides to make two identical new cells. It happens in steps, and each step has a special name. The main stages are:

1. Prophase – The DNA condenses into chromosomes, and the nucleus starts to break down.
2. Metaphase – Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.
3. Anaphase – The chromosomes split apart and move to opposite ends.
4. Telophase – Two new nuclei form around the separated chromosomes.
5. Cytokinesis – The cell splits into two separate daughter cells.

Now let’s look at the diagrams (even though we’re not describing them, we’ll match what they show to the stages):

- Diagram 1: Shows a cell with chromosomes starting to appear — this is Prophase.
- Diagram 2: Shows two separate small cells — that’s the end result, so Cytokinesis.
- Diagram 3: Shows chromosomes being pulled apart to opposite sides — that’s Anaphase.
- Diagram 4: Shows chromosomes lined up in the middle — that’s Metaphase.
- Diagram 5: Shows two nuclei forming inside one cell that’s pinching — that’s Telophase.
- Diagram 6: Shows a normal cell before division starts — this is actually Interphase, which comes BEFORE mitosis begins. But since the worksheet says “Stages of Mitosis,” and Interphase isn’t part of mitosis itself, we might need to check if it’s included as a starting point.

Wait — looking again at the instructions: “Number the following stages of Mitosis in order...” and there are six boxes. That means they probably want us to include Interphase as stage 0 or stage 1? Actually, in many school worksheets, they start with Interphase as the first picture even though technically it’s not part of mitosis.

But let’s think logically:

The actual mitotic phases are Prophase → Metaphase → Anaphase → Telophase → Cytokinesis.

So if we number only the mitosis stages (excluding Interphase), we’d have 5 stages. But there are 6 pictures. So likely, Picture 6 is Interphase (the resting phase before mitosis), and then the rest follow.

Let’s assign numbers based on sequence:

Start with the cell preparing to divide → that’s Interphase (Picture 6) → label as 1? Or maybe they consider Prophase as 1?

Actually, standard teaching order for these diagrams usually goes:

1. Interphase (cell getting ready)
2. Prophase (chromosomes visible)
3. Metaphase (lined up)
4. Anaphase (pulling apart)
5. Telophase (two nuclei forming)
6. Cytokinesis (two separate cells)

Yes — that makes sense for 6 steps.

So matching:

- Picture 6: Cell with no visible chromosomes, just a nucleus → Interphase → Stage 1
- Picture 1: Chromosomes appearing, nuclear membrane breaking → Prophase → Stage 2
- Picture 4: Chromosomes lined up in center → Metaphase → Stage 3
- Picture 3: Chromosomes moving apart → Anaphase → Stage 4
- Picture 5: Two nuclei forming, cell pinching → Telophase → Stage 5
- Picture 2: Two separate cells → Cytokinesis → Stage 6

That fits perfectly.

Final Answer:
1. Picture 6
2. Picture 1
3. Picture 4
4. Picture 3
5. Picture 5
6. Picture 2