When you were looking at the different stages of mitosis, why were the chromosomes in so many different positions, rather than in one distinct position?

In mitosis cell division, the chromosomes in so many different positions rather than in one distinct position because the cell is going to divide.

Explanation:

Mitosis is a type of cell division in which a single cell is divided into two daughter cells having double number of chromosomes or same chromosomes as that of parent cell. In mitosis, chromosomes changes their place because the cell is divided at the center and we know that chromosomes are present in the centre. For equal distribution of chromosome among daughter cell they move from the centre and reaches to the poles and the cell is divided into two daughter cells. Both daughter cells have chromosomes.

the oldest known insects are believed to live around 400 millions ago as suggested by the fossil records.   some plants having woody stems also evolved during this time.

after the evolution of insects the first four legged species or the tetrapods evolved in shallow freshwater habitats from the intermediate species approximately 397 million years ago. the tetrapods went on conquering the land giving rise to amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds.

the major split in tetrapods first occurred 340 million years ago branching off from amphibians.

363 million years ago when the carboniferous period began the insects started roaming on land and taking flights, following which the four limbed tetrapods adapted in the terrestrial habitat.