Chromosomes are what holds the DNA. Prokaryotes only have one since they have less DNA while eukaryotes and many chromosomes because they have a lot more DNA.

The cell cycle is a sequence of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides. The cell cycle of eukaryotic organisms consists of following phases – G1, S, G2, and the cell division. The first phase represents the cell growth, while the DNA replication occurs in the S phase. In the G2 phase, the cell prepares itself for the process of division.

Mitosis consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, after which the cell goes through cytokinesis. In prophase, each chromosome contains doubled DNA material which is arranged in two sister chromatids. In metaphase, chromosomes are aligned in the center of the cell. During anaphase, paired chromatids are divided and they move toward the opposite ends of the cell. In telophase and cytokinesis, this cell divides into two cells. The one diploid cell is divided into two diploid cells.

Cytokinesis represents the division of the cytoplasm. It is the final stage of the M phase of the cell cycle. However, this process differs among animal and plant cells. In animal cells, the cell membrane moves inward in order to split the cell in half. Plant cells have a rigid wall and a membrane which is not as flexible as the one in animal cells. Thus, the plant cells are characterized by the formation of the cell plate, which is a structure that forms in the place where the division of the cytoplasms should occur. The cell plate gradually develops into cell membranes, around which the cell wall is made. This is the way in which the cytoplasm of plant cells is divided.

Mitosis consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, after which the cell goes through cytokinesis. In prophase, each chromosome contains doubled DNA material which is arranged in two sister chromatids. Therefore, at this phase the chromosome number is diploid, but the number of chromatids is doubled. In metaphase, chromosomes are aligned in the center of the cell. During anaphase, paired chromatids are divided and they move toward the opposite ends of the cell. Each of the two daughter cells has the same number of chromosomes, but one half of the number of chromatids as the parental cell. In telophase and cytokinesis, this cell divides into two cells. The one diploid cell is divided into two diploid cells.

A mitotic spindle is composed of centrioles and the microtubules (centrioles are absent in the plant cells). The centromeres of the chromosomes are attached to the microtubules which allow them to move towards the centrioles during the cell division.