What step of mitosis is illustrated in diagram a of figure 10-1? explain what occurs during that step and how you know if this cell is a plant or animal cell.

Diagram A illustrates the first stage of mitosis: Prophase. During this phase:

- Chromosomes condense and become thicker and shorter. They are visible under a microscope
- The nucleolus begins to dissolve
- The centrioles duplicate and move to the opposite sides of the cell (the poles)
- The mitotic spindle forms

This cell belongs to an animal. You can tell this because centrioles are less common in plant cells, unlike animal cells, which all have centrioles. Plant cells also have "fixed" and rather rectangular like shapes, while animal cells are irregular shapes and are usually round.

Hope this helps :)