The Little Cell Learns Mitosis

Cells make up our bodies. They help us grow and heal us when we’re hurt.

Now you may be wondering; “How do these cells heal us and make us grow?” Well, I’ll tell you.

Cells use a process called mitosis!

They split apart to replace old or dead cells during this.

Mennie is a new daughter cell, she wants to know how she became who she is now. She asked her older friends how cells have daughter cells like her.

“Hey, Al, do you know how there are so many cells like you and me?” She asked.

“Why, through mitosis!” Al answered with a welcoming smile.

“Mitosis? What’s that?” Mennie was very curious as to what her friend will tell her.

“Mitosis is how we divide! We use mitosis to make more cells!” She answers happily.

“How does it work?” Mennie asked, becoming more and more interested.
“First we must prepare ourselves. The other older cells like to call this interphase,” She points to an older cell. “Right?” The older cell nods.

“Next your nucleus will start to disappear,” She starts.

“What?! It will disappear?!” Mennie was a little scared by that idea.

“Let me finish. It will disappear and your chromosomes will be held onto by the spindle fibers.”

“What are spindle fibers?” Mennie asked, interrupting her friend.

“Spindle fibers are kind of like strings. They hold your chromosomes nearby when your nucleus disappears.”

“Oh,” She answers. “That makes sense.”

“Next is the prophase!”

“In the prophase, the nucleus has completely disappeared. The chromosomes are loose, but the spindle fibers are holding them down, in a way.” Al explained smiling.

“I wonder what’s next!” Mennie thought.

Al pulled Mennie to an older looking cell.

“The next step is called metaphase. All the chromosomes line up to your center, the spindle fibers are still holding on.”

“Woah..!” Mennie said, dazzled. The older cell looked at the two cells, and gave a small smile.

Al raced off with Mennie following behind.

“This next step is very important. It’s called anaphase. The chromosomes split in half to their chromatids and drift off to two sides of you.”

“So they meet in the middle just to break apart to the sides?” Mennie asked.

“Yes.” Al said with a silly smile.

“This next stage can be kind of confusing, so listen closely,” Al started. “The telophase is when nuclei begin to form again. The chromatids come together to form new chromosomes in the new nuclei. This part prepares you for the final step! Cytokinesis!”

“That was a lot to take in…” Mennie whispers.

“It’s alright! We’re almost done!”

“The final stage is cytokinesis. This is when you finally split apart into two new, identical cells! We call them daughter cells.” Al finished.

“Wow! Mitosis is really cool!” Mennie shouted happily.