Meaning & use

prophase

noun·Academic

The first stage of cell division, in which chromosomes condense and become visible.

See it in a sentence

During prophase, the nuclear membrane begins to break down inside the cell.

Students observed prophase under the microscope as chromosomes started to coil tightly.

A note on using this word

Prophase is the first of several stages in mitosis, followed by metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Words with a similar meaning

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