Karyokinesis is a process that occurs during cell division, specifically during mitosis or meiosis, where the nucleus of a cell divides into two daughter nuclei. This process is followed by cytokinesis, which is the splitting of the cytoplasm and cell membrane. Karyokinesis is a series of active changes that take place in the nucleus of a living cell in the process of division. The steps involved in karyokinesis include prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During karyokinesis, DNA in the nucleus condenses into chromosomes and is strung apart by the mitotic spindle. The term karyokinesis is often used interchangeably with the term mitosis.