During prophase, the chromatin condenses and the chromosomes become visible. Also the nucleolus disappears, the nuclear membrane fragments, and the spindle appartus forms and attaches to the centromeres of the chromosomes. These are dividing cells from a whitefish. Early prophase can be seen. read more
During mitosis and meiosis, prophase is the first phase of the division cycle after DNA replication in G and S phases. The main value of prophase is that the chromatin condenses to become chromosomes, which will later be separated in various ways during the final stages of mitosis and meiosis. read more