Mnemonic 1: Mitosis Stages — PMAT

"Please Make Another Taco"

• P = Prophase (chromosomes become visible, spindle forms)
• M = Metaphase (chromosomes at Middle of cell)
• A = Anaphase (chromatids move Apart to poles)
• T = Telophase (Two nuclei form; then cytokinesis)

Mnemonic 2: Prophase I Substages — LZPDD

"Lovers Zealously Pursue Daring Dates"

• L = Leptotene (chromosomes become Looong and thin; condensation begins)
• Z = Zygotene (chromosomes Zip together = synapsis)
• P = Pachytene (Picking up new genes = crossing over happens)
• D = Diplotene (Double-cross becomes visible = chiasmata appear)
• D = Diakinesis (Disappearing nuclear membrane; Departure phase)

Mnemonic 3: Key Events Sequence — "Pair, Cross, See"

• Pair in Zygotene (synapsis)
• Cross in Pachytene (crossing over)
• See chiasmata in Diplotene (visible)

Mnemonic 4: Cytokinesis Direction

• Animal = Act inward = Acin-myosin ring constricts inward (centripetal — Act Inward = Animal)
• Plant = Plate from centre outward = cell Plate grows centrifugally

Mnemonic 5: S Phase DNA Trick

"S doubles the D, not the chromosome"

• S phase doubles the DNA content (2C → 4C)
• Does NOT double the chromosome number (stays 2n)
• Why? Sister chromatids are STILL JOINED at centromere

Mnemonic 6: G0 Examples — "Never Rely On G0"

• Neurons — never divide
• RBCs — really can't divide (also have no nucleus!)
• Old cardiac muscle cells — outgrown ability to divide
• Germ-free zones of renewal — G0 is for highly specialised cells

Mnemonic 7: Anaphase Separation Rules

• Mitosis Anaphase = Make Sister chromatids Separate (Sister chromatids Separate)
• Meiosis I Anaphase = Homies go Home Halving the count (Homologous chromosomes separate, Halving)
• Meiosis II Anaphase = Same as mitosis (Sister chromatids Separate again)