prophase

1 8.9

The first stage of cell division when chromosomes condense and become visible

noun
/ˈproʊfeɪz/

Specialized

: profase

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

Examples

The commitment to mitosis is prophase.

Academic text (2003)
In prophase, the kinetochore appears to be a ball inserted into a dense cup.

Academic text (2009)
And then metaphase, interphase and prophase.

Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
During prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible under the microscope.
In prophase, spindle fibers start to form as the cell prepares for division.
Scientists observed that the nuclear envelope breaks down in prophase of mitosis.

Surface Forms

prophase singular

prophases plural

Morphology

prophase = phase (semi-transparent) = pro + phase

The prefix 'pro-' suggests 'before' or 'forward', aligning with the meaning of the first stage in cell division, but the specific scientific context may not be immediately clear to all learners.

Etymology

Prophase comes from the parts pro- meaning 'before' and phase meaning 'stage' or 'appearance'. So prophase is the first stage of cell division when the chromosomes first appear and become visible.