Which of the following statements about mitosis is incorrect

To identify an incorrect statement about mitosis, let's review some fundamental aspects of this process:

1. **Mitosis** is a type of cell division that occurs in somatic (non-reproductive) cells.
2. The primary goal of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
3. Mitosis consists of several stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
4. During prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle forms.
5. In metaphase, the chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, a plane equidistant from the two spindle poles.
6. During anaphase, sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles of the cell.
7. Telophase marks the end of mitosis, during which nuclear envelopes reassemble around the separated chromosomes, and the chromatin decondenses.
8. Finally, cytokinesis occurs, leading to the physical division of the cytoplasm and the formation of two daughter cells.

Now, let's consider some statements and identify the incorrect one:

1. "Mitosis occurs in reproductive cells (germ cells)." - Incorrect. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, not reproductive cells. Germ cells undergo a different type of cell division called meiosis.
2. "During prophase, the nuclear envelope breaks down." - Correct. This is true; the nuclear envelope disintegrates during prophase to allow the mitotic spindle to interact with the chromosomes.
3. "In anaphase, sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres and move toward opposite poles of the cell." - Incorrect. In anaphase, sister chromatids separate into individual chromosomes and move toward opposite poles of the cell. The statement incorrectly suggests that sister chromatids remain attached.
4. "Metaphase is characterized by the alignment of chromosomes along the metaphase plate." - Correct. This is a characteristic of metaphase; chromosomes align along the metaphase plate in preparation for their separation during anaphase.
5. "Mitosis produces daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell." - Incorrect. Mitosis produces daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This statement describes meiosis, not mitosis.
   
Therefore, the incorrect statement about mitosis is: "In anaphase, sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres and move toward opposite poles of the cell."