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During prophase, the nucleus disappears, spindle fibers form, and DNA condenses into chromosomes (sister chromatids). During metaphase, the sister chromatids align along the equator of the cell by attaching their centromeres to the spindle fibers. During anaphase, sister chromatids are separated at the centromere and are pulled towards opposite poles of the cell by the mitotic spindle. During telophase, chromosomes arrive at opposite poles and unwind into thin strands of DNA, the spindle fibers disappear, and the nuclear membrane reappears.
The length of these kinetochore-attached microtubules then decreases during mitosis, pulling sister chromatids to opposite poles of the spindle. Other spindle fibers do not attach to chromosomes, but instead form a scaffold that provides mechanical force to separate the daughter nuclei at the end of mitosis.