Identifying Mitosis Stages by Key Features

Steps:

• Recall prophase: chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope intact, no alignment.
• Recall metaphase: chromosomes line up at cell equator, spindle attached.
• Recall anaphase: sister chromatids separate and migrate to poles.
• Match labels: X shows condensing chromosomes (prophase), Y shows equatorial alignment (metaphase), Z shows separating chromatids (anaphase).

Why D is correct:

• D assigns X to prophase (condensation visible), Y to metaphase (midplane alignment per mitosis sequence), Z to anaphase (poleward movement as defined).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Swaps all; Z shows separation, not prophase condensation.
• B: Correctly IDs Z as anaphase but misplaces X (alignment, not metaphase) and Y (not prophase).
• C: Reverses order; Y shows alignment, not anaphase separation.

Final answer: D