Mitosis Diagram: 5 Stages Explained With Labels
Type the diagram you need and generate a labeled, textbook-style mitosis diagram in seconds, or study the reference diagram and stage list below.
All 5 stages in order
Prophase to cytokinesis — each stage drawn and explained with what happens to the chromosomes.
Mitosis vs meiosis table
The quick-check table separates the two confusable processes in five rows.
Generate your own
Describe the diagram in words and get a labeled version you can refine and export.
Mitosis diagram
Mitosis Diagram (5 Stages, Labeled)
The diagram below shows the five stages of mitosis in an animal cell, in the order they occur. Every stage is listed beneath the figure with a one-line summary, so you can check the diagram against the list in either direction.
- Prophase
- Chromosomes condense into visible X shapes, the nuclear envelope starts to break down, and spindle fibers begin to form.
- Metaphase
- Chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate at the cell equator, attached to spindle fibers from both poles.
- Anaphase
- Sister chromatids separate at the centromere and are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.
- Telophase
- Chromosomes arrive at the poles, new nuclear envelopes form around them, and the chromosomes begin to decondense.
- Cytokinesis
- A cleavage furrow pinches the cell into two identical daughter cells, each with a full set of chromosomes.
Around the five stages
What the Diagram Leaves Out
Most courses require the five stages above, but these three facts are asked often and worth knowing.
- Interphase
- The stage before mitosis: the cell grows and copies its DNA, so each chromosome becomes two sister chromatids. Often drawn as the starting cell.
- Prometaphase
- Some courses split it from prophase: the nuclear envelope fully breaks down and spindle fibers attach to the chromosomes.
- Daughter cells
- The two cells that result are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell — mitosis makes copies, not variants.
5-second check
Mitosis vs Meiosis: The Fast Difference
The two processes are the most-confused pair in cell biology. Five checks separate them before you label or answer.
| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis |
|---|---|---|
| Daughter cells | Two | Four |
| Chromosome number | Same as the parent cell | Half the parent cell |
| Genetic variation | None — identical copies | Crossing over and reshuffling |
| Where it happens | Body (somatic) cells | Cells that make gametes |
| Purpose | Growth and repair | Sexual reproduction |
How it works
Make your own mitosis diagram
- Step 1
Describe the diagram
Say which stages to show, how many labels, and the level of detail.
- Step 2
Generate the labeled diagram
The generator draws the stages in order with leader lines and clear labels in textbook style.
- Step 3
Refine and export
Check chromosome behavior in each stage, ask for corrections, then export.
FAQ
Mitosis diagram questions
What is a mitosis diagram?+
A mitosis diagram shows how one cell divides into two identical cells, drawn as the five stages in order: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. The labels name the chromosomes, spindle fibers, centrioles, and nuclear envelope as they change stage by stage.
What are the stages of mitosis in order?+
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. In prophase chromosomes condense; in metaphase they align at the equator; in anaphase sister chromatids separate; in telophase two new nuclei form; cytokinesis splits the cell into two daughters.
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?+
Mitosis produces two genetically identical cells with the same chromosome number as the parent — it powers growth and repair. Meiosis produces four cells with half the chromosome number and introduces variation. The comparison table above lists all five differences.
Does mitosis happen in plant cells?+
Yes. The chromosome stages are identical, but most plant cells have no centrioles, and cytokinesis builds a cell plate from the center outward instead of a cleavage furrow pinching inward.
How do I draw a mitosis diagram?+
Draw five circles, sketch the chromosome arrangement for each stage in order — condensing, aligned, separating, two nuclei, two cells — then add leader-line labels. Our How to Draw a Mitosis Diagram tutorial walks through it stage by stage with a printable checklist.
Can I create my own mitosis diagram?+
Yes. With AcaDraw you describe the stages and labels you need and the generator creates a labeled diagram you can refine and export. The free plan is enough to try it; free-plan exports include a watermark.
Method and references
How this page was prepared
The diagram and the one-line stage summaries follow standard introductory biology references, including OpenStax Biology 2e and the NCBI Bookshelf. The figure is a product-generated teaching draft; it has not been independently peer-reviewed, so check anything critical against your course materials.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-06
Verification resources
Mitosis diagram generator
Need a mitosis diagram your textbook doesn't have?
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