Mitosis and the Cell Cycle Animation

This animation shows the cell cycle (interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis), using easy to follow animations, clear explanations, and helpful analogies. Perfect for any student of Biology interested in learning how cells divide to reproduce!
Video Transcript:
The PURPOSE of the cell cycle is to REPRODUCE cells. So, one cell can copy itself to become two cells! Those two daughter cells are IDENTICAL to the original parent cell (EXACTLY the SAME). Each one can complete its own cell cycle to make copies of itself until you end up with lots of cells! This is needed for growth and is how you went from being one single lonely cell to being made of trillions of cells-that’s how you grew). We also need the cell cycle to replace worn out cells and heal tissue damage! So, it is muy importante!
Alright, so the cell cycle has 3 main parts, Interphase, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis. Let’s begin with Interphase.
Interphase is the part of the cell cycle where the cell is NOT DIVIDING. Think of this as normal cell life. The cell is doing normal cell things: growth, metabolism, and so on.
Also, during Interphase you should notice that the nucleus is intact, and that the cell’s DNA is all stringy, like spaghetti. This stringy, uncoiled form of DNA is known as CHROMATIN.
There is ONE REALLY IMPORTANT THING that the cell does during Interphase that is needed in order to do mitosis (which is the next step): the cell REPLICATES or COPIES its CHROMATIN. Notice that each piece of chromatin is now paired up with its copy. We call these paired up copies SISTER CHROMATIDS. So, now the cell has copies of its DNA. This is critical so that the cell can divide up its DNA into 2 cells and still have them be IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL PARENT CELL.
One final thing I want to make clear, INTERPHASE is NOT PART OF MITOSIS. It happens BEFORE MITOSIS and is especially important because it is where the cell’s DNA is copied.
Now, let’s begin MITOSIS, the process of dividing the cell’s DNA into two identical daughter cells.
Mitosis has 4 phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase, which you can remember as PMAT.
Anyway, the first phase of MITOSIS is called PROPHASE.
During Prophase, there are a few key events:
1. Chromatin coils and gets nicely packed to form CHROMOSOMES. So, instead of being like a tangled mess of spaghetti, your DNA is tightly packaged and easier to organize and move around.
2. The nucleus goes away. It literally DISINTEGRATES. Why? Because it is in the way. The chromosomes are trapped inside the nucleus and can’t get moved to where they need to go, unless the cell gets rid of it-so it does. Bye bye nucleus!
3. The SPINDLE APPARATUS (a bunch of protein tubes that are used to move your chromosomes around) also forms.
It makes sense that all of these things would happen during Prophase, the beginning of Mitosis, because they are things that NEED TO HAPPEN AT THE BEGINNING.
It’s like moving to a new house-there are some things you do at the beginning of the process…
Just like you need to pack up your stuff before moving to a new house, the cell needs to pack up its chromatin into easily moveable chromosomes.
And just like you need to leave your house to move out of it, the chromosomes need to get out of the nucleus, so it vanishes. Your old house doesn’t vanish-but you get the idea.
Finally, if you’re going to move, it makes sense to have your moving truck ready to go. The moving truck is like the spindle apparatus. Again, it makes sense to have this at the beginning of mitosis.
So, that’s prophase. The rest of the phases will go much quicker.
Metaphase is the next phase. In metaphase, the chromosomes line up down the middle of the cell. Think “M” for middle. This makes the chromosomes easily organized so that they can be evenly divided in half in our next phase-anaphase.
During anaphase, the sister chromatids are separated from one another and pulled to opposite ends of the cell.
Telophase is basically the reverse of prophase. Each newly forming daughter cell is going to start its new life in Interphase, so we have to undo all the MITOSIS stuff that helped the cell to divide. Back to normal cell life.
So, the chromosomes uncoil to form chromatin, the nucleus returns, and the spindle apparatus breaks down because it is no longer needed.
Usually at the same time, the cell completely divides in half, a process called Cytokinesis.
The result is 2 genetically identical daughter cells.
That is the entire cell cycle-interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.
Photo by Justin Shaifer from Pexels (Guy Wearing Science Shirt)
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels (Girl Carrying Box)
Moving truck picture from uhaul.com
Music: www.bensound.com

[@loxleymoon]

My God, why can't every video be this solid? A teacher that understands delivery!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@morgzsnapchats3018]

The comment about moving out of a house and packing it up and then unpacking and having the new nucleus made this stick wayyyyyyy better in my head. Thanks!

[@BioManBiology]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@morgzsnapchats3018]

Could you make an animation simplifying the physiology of muscle contraction?

[@BioManBiology]

@@morgzsnapchats3018 That's a great idea! Hopefully one of these days!

[@holyshyat]

I have a biology test tomorrow and this video really helped! It was very simple, nothing too complicated Thank you! :)

[@BioManBiology]

I'm happy to hear that it helped!

[@galaxhex]

Nice jojo pfp

[@G82_M4]

This is the most helpful video ever. I have been learning this stuff for about a week and after 1 video I understand most of it. First time Ive subscribed to anyone from watching just 1 video but this was well deserved as the way you teach helps me understand a lot more. Thank You

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the kind feedback!

[@HeIsWorthy247]

I left a 3 hour lab class utterly confused and frustrated. This video just broke mitosis down in 5 mins!!! Thank youuuuu!!

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it helped! Thanks!

[@vvhnessa]

Omgsh! That end part was soo crazy!! It literally turned into two cells and just started over again! Very intriguing. Wish i would have payed more attention in school. That was super neat

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks Vanessa! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the animation! I agree that mitosis is pretty awesome 👍

[@Lillith9008]

Oh gosh I've gone through quite a few videos to help me break this down in a way I would understand, and your visuals helped so much! Thank you, also, for those cues to help us remember easier :)

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the feedback Vic! I'm happy to hear that it was helpful to you!

[@user-pz1ry5nk4p]

this is the best video on youtube so far, no over complications and it has all the stages showing exactly what is happening in each Thank you BioMan Biology

[@BioManBiology]

@@user-pz1ry5nk4p Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying the video!

[@user-vu4sy7ew2v]

I can't understand this chapter in my class but your vedio is more helpful to understand this chapter Thank you for explanation and I'm tamil medium but i can understand you English. thank you so much

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad to hear that the video was helpful to you! Thanks for your comment!

[@Christianplaysroblox555]

THANK YOU my teacher made it sound way hader than this THANKS

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@daughterofthemosthigh8882]

You just put out the fire that was in my brain from watching a dozen vid's trying to explain this. I can see it so clearly now. Bless you.

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it was helpful to you! Thanks for your comment!

[@thetallguy9068]

thank you so much, i have a 15 slide animation due tomorrow and this basically stopped me from emailing my teacher 90 times about the different phases

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it helped! Thanks for your comment and best of luck on your slideshow!

[@llammaindabahamasdrew405]

Mad respect for bio man, came in clutch when I needed him always God bless you

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear it was helpful! All the best to you!

[@AlexP-iq3sk]

You are the best bio youtuber by far man

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@abdullahhasan8633]

I think,this video is the best of all...❤️

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@holleyjane7993]

Finally a video that explained it the way people actually need to know for exams. Exam boards are specific on how you write these things - so thankyou! hopefully I pass these exams and then off to medical school.

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it was helpful! Best of luck on your exams and all the best in medical school too!

[@crowncoconut]

this video is amazing!! i literally have to write a song and square dance (not a joke) about this and i've been trying to find videos that can break it down into a way i can understand it, and this video did just that! 10/10, will absolutely recommend to my classmates. thank you!!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the positive comment! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@_someone_8901]

Thankyou ♥️.. you saved me!!..... Love from India🇮🇳

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@aubreyalcoy3643]

My friend and I found your website and took the interactive quiz on this lesson. We weren't expecting much from it, but we ended up having a really fun time! You're great at what you do!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the feedback Aubrey! I'm happy to hear that you and your friend enjoyed the video as well as the interactive game on biomanbio.com!

[@benkay5379]

Now I'm confident I can pass my biology exams tomorrow Thank you

[@BioManBiology]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@shicrazy33]

really good illustration. Really simplifies the four phases of mitosis so its easily understandable.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@irenelopezromero6953]

This video has SAVED MY LIFE. Thank you!!!!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome Irene! I'm glad it was helpful to you! I will be creating more videos soon! Feel free to subscribe if you'd like to be notified when new videos are released. All the best!

[@samerabreese7775]

There you go again explaining this phase perfectly! Thank you I'm taking this test today

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the kind feedback! Good luck on your test today!

[@bebifathima7249]

Best videos of mitosis ever huge respect sir❤

[@hooptrendupdates]

SO HELPFUL. great video.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@OverlordRaven]

im here 3 years later and I just want to say thanks because my science test is coming up soon;

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, and best of luck on your test!

[@banditapattnaik2352]

Well it was very helpful to me as due to heavy course our teachers mainly have the tendency to skip or shorten those main chaps

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@ivanmarquez6007]

Great video!!!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks Ivan!

[@SQS4]

Give me an A please.

[@ivanmarquez6007]

@@SQS4 Only if you like and subscribe to BioMan Biology and learn mitosis.

[@SQS4]

@@ivanmarquez6007 done.

[@themanofthehour]

ok

[@CaptainKylan]

What a cool video, I'm so impressed by the many voices you do during the video, my students loved them

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you and your students enjoyed the video!

[@carrieburdick-rutz3108]

Very clear and fun surprise of special voices.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it Carrie!

[@kishmacroft5815]

this is perfect! thank you!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@bhashi2112]

Last-minute cramming, this is so helpful thank you so much.

[@BioManBiology]

Great to hear! I'm glad it is helpful!

[@bhashi2112]

Ended up with a B but still very useful@@BioManBiology

[@specialblend522]

This was by far the best and more easy to understand video that i have found. thank you

[@BioManBiology]

Great to hear! All the best to you!

[@avranckneupane6717]

These visuals and your explanations are amazing, ty!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome Avranck! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Veena_Tharwani541]

Thnx it really helps frm India 🇮🇳🙂

[@BioManBiology]

Happy to hear that it helped!

[@FreGee1]

This was explained really well such a difficult thing to learn got so much more easier

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, it is great to hear that it was helpful!

[@CzarinaMaeEsmillo279]

This video is great! :) It helped me a lot for my online classes. Thank you!

[@BioManBiology]

Great to hear Czarina! Thanks!

[@omjadhav6748]

Thank You So much, You Deserve More Subscribers...

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@theundercoverguy]

I just watched one of the best videos on Mitosis!

[@BioManBiology]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Frost_pheonix]

this vid is very helpful thanks

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad to hear that! Thanks!

[@jeyalakshmi8678]

Thank you so much sir 😊👍👌means a lot 🤗😇

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@melissaholcombe3958]

LOVEEEE this vid thank you for including reasons of why this is happening makes it easier to understand.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@phoebekrowitz8178]

Hi these videos are really helpful for biology and it would be even more helpful if you could make a meiosis video thank you so much and I appreciate these videos very much

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! A meiosis video is a great idea too! Hopefully soon!

[@ecraft9511]

Yes I agree!

[@puggie3261]

THANK YOU AWAYSSS!!!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@lindawicks6644]

Kinda wish you had mentioned checkpoints &/or G2 (not by name necessarily), because this makes it seem like the cell goes straight to mitosis after DNA synthesis. Still a great animation and explanation, thanks!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks Linda! Those are definitely great things to mention but didn't quite fit in the allotted time. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it!

[@hopehinchey1406]

once again bio man saves me. thanks so much

[@BioManBiology]

😊 Great to hear! Thanks!

[@subhashchand-mv8rt]

woah what a great video animation and explanation both now clear my confusion abt mitosis

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm happy to hear that!

[@Della662]

hi this video is awsome and very helpful. I have to do animation of mitosis similar to this for a biology project and was wondering what program you used to make this.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think I used Adobe Animate, Premiere Pro, Audacity, and maybe Serif DrawPlus on this animation. Best of luck on your animation! I hope it goes well!

[@angadvishwakarma7826]

It help me a lot thank you

[@BioManBiology]

Glad to hear that, thanks!

[@aidangonsalves9933]

I found this helpful. Thanks for the visuals with this animation!

[@BioManBiology]

Great to hear Aidan!

[@gdicks5167]

Great video helped me for my lab tm

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@amanpreetbrar7836]

Omg thank u so much❤❤❤❤❤❤❤!! It really helped me a lot to understand this topic! Thank u sm again

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped!

[@MinaGamerX]

Tysm for doing this simple video

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@sherimonaghan5907]

Great video! Very Helpful!

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad you found it helpful Sheri!

[@sophiaking3108]

Thank you for showing us this video

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome Sophia!

[@crazykiller5164]

Loved it 🇮🇳INDIA

[@BioManBiology]

Happy to hear that!

[@Anonymousyt082]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! Glad to hear it was helpful!

[@andrewchen861]

Awesome video! It explained the concept easily and I really enjoyed it, especially the animation and a little sense of humor. I have a question. What about the other organelles such as the mitochondria?

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks Andrew! To answer your question, other organelles like the mitochondria get distributed to the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Mitochondria actually replicate themselves independently (they have their own DNA).

[@andrewchen861]

​@@BioManBiology Wow! That makes a lot more sense, and is really fascinating! Thank you so much! :)

[@BioManBiology]

@@andrewchen861 You're welcome!

[@nesmaismail7474]

Amazing

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@CircadianMeme129]

amazing video! from Brazil!!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the kind feedback! I'm happy that it was helpful!

[@ytjeremy1553]

thanks it realy help

[@BioManBiology]

Good to hear! Thanks!

[@blitzz6067]

i literally just watched this for school gotta say interesting

[@user-tf3mg9yx5m]

Thank you so much this video litterly was the best pick for my song play my song is bio man is strong he is the man of biology it was a bit but i got a high a grade thx

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jm-ls4wo]

Goog job done Bioman with a pair of bigger chromosomes (one red et one blue) than the other one ! That's the only way to make students understand mitosis, meiosis and genetics !!!! Thanks a lot.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@learneasietelugu1120]

U're awesome👏 Very simple and easy to understand 😃... This helped me a lot.. Thank you😊

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks Kyoya! I am happy to hear that the video was helpful to you!

[@ghadasalah1937]

Thank u

[@blurryreality7967]

Thank you! this helped me a lot with my class :)

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! Great to hear!

[@lilyrosedaisy2003]

You are awesome! Looking forward to a sim on Punnett squares

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! Sounds like a great idea!

[@saratorres3702]

Gracias al traductor le entiendo mejor muy buen video 👌

[@BioManBiology]

¡Gracias por tu comentario! ¡Estoy feliz que el video te ayudó a comprender!

[@ilsegabrielahernandez]

Thank you! This helped me so much :)

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! That is great to hear!

[@sarfrazsoomro2864]

Thankoo for such explanation 👏👍🙂

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@toomuchtimeontheinternet6804]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@vibhutichaukate8503]

No one can explain this better 🙂

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mens_Motive]

Oh my goodness this helped so much thank you!

[@BioManBiology]

Happy to hear that! You're welcome!

[@Mens_Motive]

@@BioManBiology My science teacher told me to watch this video for my test tomorrow and I’ve already progressed on my studying, and I’ve told 4 other people to use this to study! I think you just took my grade from a C to an A on the test! The visuals are so helpful. That’s exactly what I needed.

[@BioManBiology]

@@Mens_Motive That's great! Thanks for letting me know and best of luck on your test!

[@user-rb1vm4ex1h]

Thanks for the video! But I have a question. The first phase in Mitosis is prophase, and I can see in the video that the DNA in the cell is stringy and its basically in chromatin form. If that is what it looks like at the beginning of mitosis, then what does it look like in phase G2 of the interphase, which happens just before prophase? I know that the DNA copies itself during the synthesis phase during interphase, but what does it look like when that happens? Does it copy itself so it turns into to sister chromatids (basically a chromosome) tied together at the centromere? Or is it still chromatin? Because if it turned into 2 sister chromosomes during synthesis, which is before G2 and Prophase, then why is the dna in prophase stringy and basically chromatin?

[@BioManBiology]

Good question... As you said, the DNA replicates during Interphase. During Interphase, these identical strands of DNA (sister chromatids) also attach to each other at the centromere. But even though they are attached, they are still in chromatin form. In prophase, this chromatin condenses to form the familiar "X"- shaped chromosomes you see in textbooks. I hope that helps, but if you want more detail, I think this short article might be helpful: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20012585/

[@spaghetti_gaming70]

that helped me in a test

[@BioManBiology]

Cool, I'm happy to hear that!

[@kokabamer5029]

Awesome!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@jennifermarymcbride5038]

Thank you! Very Helpful!

[@BioManBiology]

Happy to hear that you enjoyed the video!

[@vedhamara6748]

That helped me thank you

[@BioManBiology]

Great! You're welcome!

[@GURUPROMAN]

Very helpful ☺️👍

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@senarajayawardena9166]

superb!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@themanofthehour]

Nice video :)

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@vibzvfx8648]

very nice

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@arcreations3561]

There is no way this guy just cover it in a couple minutes which took my mam 3hrs

[@BioManBiology]

I hope it was a helpful review! Thanks!

[@Ria-iw1iu]

can u make one for meiosis too?

[@BioManBiology]

Yes, hopefully sometime soon!

[@167_kareenathakur6]

Great sildes.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@siyatiwary9018]

Sir, thank you so much for your wonderful explanation. It was absolutely brilliant ! May Lord Krishna always keep you healthy and happy. Bless you Sir 🙂.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@sofiasmith3526]

THE PMAT MEME HAD ME DEAD

[@vwcanter]

So if the chromosome is duplicated during interphase, that must be done after DNA transcription is completed, correct? Otherwise, how would it transcribe all the genes, and also duplicate the entire chromosome, at the same time? So is duplication of the chromosome a process that follows each step of transcription? Or does it transcribe the whole thing and then start duplicating the chromosome?

[@BioManBiology]

It sounds like you are mixing up transcription and replication. Replication is the duplication of the DNA/chromosomes and this happens during Interphase. During replication, each entire chromosome is copied. Replication = duplication of chromosomes. Transcription is a totally different process, the production of mRNA. You never transcribe all of a chromosome. Instead you transcribe a specific gene (a short section of DNA that codes for a protein) when you want to make the specific protein that it codes for. For example, you would transcribe the insulin gene and use the mRNA to make insulin (a protein). I hope that helps!

[@cowsarelife4597]

Please do dna replication!!! I love your videos

[@BioManBiology]

Great idea! In the meantime, I have a DNA Replication interactive you can play that you might find helpful! Here it is, if you are interested: biomanbio.com/HTML5GamesandLabs/LifeChemgames/replicationinteractivepage.html I hope you enjoy it!

[@godumunmetalcisi1812]

I cant focus couse of the toothpaste AD music lmao

[@KmRina-ve7iz]

Which app do you use to done this animation

[@BioManBiology]

I used several programs (Premiere Pro, Adobe Animate, Serif DrawPlus, and Audacity are some of them. I hope that helps!

[@user-pw2ii3rc4g]

yea

[@BioManBiology]

👍

[@parkrosie2295]

Isn't there pro meta phase?? Like 5 phases??

[@BioManBiology]

Some people divide it into 5 phases and include prometaphase, but many do not. Prometaphase is basically the end part of prophase as it transitions to metaphase, but many texts don't include it. I hope that helps to clarify!

[@homersimpson6141]

what did you use to make this

[@BioManBiology]

I used a few programs: Adobe Premiere Pro, Animate, Serif DrawPlus, and audacity for audio. Hope that helps!

[@ayasalah03]

Great video, however there was a mistake in your definition of chromosome!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, but could you please clarify what the mistake might be? Thanks!

[@chocolatechick729]

I need meiosis explained 😅 please

[@BioManBiology]

I hope to do that one of these days! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@isaac-ou6vm]

thk

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@user-my7te8ot8l]

I still don’t understand

[@E_VR7]

Nor do I my friend, nor do I.

[@BioManBiology]

Perhaps this interactive will help: biomanbio.com/HTML5GamesandLabs/Genegames/mitosismoverpage.html In it, you do the process yourself. There are also many other animations that may be helpful. Your teacher is likely also a good resource. Try reaching out to them and asking for clarification. Good luck!

[@Beradany]

Even I couldn't get it 😅

[@shinzilla1393]

im about to be big brain

[@BioManBiology]

Nice!