Karyokinesis is the nuclear division which is divided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
1. Prophase:
a. In this phase, condensation of chromatin material, migration of centrioles, appearance of mitotic apparatus and disappearance of nuclear membrane takes place.
b. Due to condensation, each chromosome with its sister chromatids connected by centromere is clearly visible under light microscope.
c. The nucleolus starts to disappear.
d. Centrosome start moving towards the opposite poles of the cell.
e. Mitotic apparatus is almost completely formed.
2. Metaphase:
a. Chromosomes are completely condensed and appear short.
b. Centromere and sister chromatids become very prominent.
c. All the chromosomes are arranged at equatorial plane of cell. This is called metaphase plate.
d. Mitotic spindle is fully formed in this phase.
e. Centromere of each chromosome divides horizontally into two, each being associated with a chromatid.
[Note: The centromeres divide at the beginning of anaphase so that the two chromatids of each chromosome become separated from each other. Source: Cell Division, Donald B. McMillan, Richard J. Harris, in An Atlas of Comparative Vertebrate Histology, 2018.]
3. Anaphase:
a. In this phase, chromatids of each chromosome separate and form two chromosomes called daughter chromosomes.
b. The chromosomes which are formed are pulled away in opposite direction by spindle apparatus.
c. Anaphase ends when each set of chromosomes reach at opposite poles of the cell.
4. Telophase:
a. This is the final stage of karyokinesis.
b. The chromosomes with their centromeres begin to uncoil at the poles.
c. The chromosomes lengthen and lose their individuality.
d. The nucleolus reappears and the nuclear membrane appear around the chromosomes.
e. Spindle fibres breakdown and get absorbed in the cytoplasm. Thus, two daughter nuclei are formed.
These are small disc-shaped structures at the surface of the centromeres which serve as the sites of attachment of spindle fibres to the chromosomes.
