M Phase of Cell Cycle and its Process
M phase or mitotic phase is the phase where actual cell division occurs. It is the most dramatic period of the cell cycle. Prior to this, cell duplicates its components and during this phase, distribution of the already duplicated components occur in an orderly manner.
It consists of two processes.
- Karyokinesis – where division of nucleus occurs
- Cytokinesis – where division of cytoplasm occurs
| S. No. | Cytokinesis | Karyokinesis |
| 1 | Cytokinesis is a biological process which involves division of the cytoplasm during mitosis and meiosis. | Karyokinesis is a biological process involving the division of a cell’s nucleus during mitosis and meiosis. |
| 2 | It is not divided into four stages. | Stages such as prophase, metaphase anaphase and telophase are present in karyokinesis. |
Therefore, during M phase reorganisation and separation of all the components of the cell occurs.