Prophase: The Crucial First Stage of Mitosis Explained

Prophase (image)

Chromosomes condense (coil), nuclear membrane dissolves, spindle begins to form

Prophase is the first stage of mitosis, the process by which a cell separates its duplicated DNA into two identical nuclei. During prophase, the chromatin in the nucleus condenses into visible chromosomes, consisting of two identical sister chromatids held together at a centromere. The nuclear membrane also breaks down into vesicles, allowing the chromosomes to move freely within the cell. Additionally, spindle fibers begin to form from opposite poles of the cell, extending toward the center and attaching to the chromosomes. These spindle fibers will later be responsible for pulling the chromosomes apart into separate daughter cells during anaphase. Overall, prophase is a crucial step in mitosis that sets the stage for subsequent stages of cell division.

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