A

David

Darling

prophase

Prophase is the first stage of cell division, during which chromosomes contract and divide along their length (except for the centromeres) into chromatids. In mitosis, the chromosomes remain separate from each other. In the first division of meiosis, homologous chromosomes become paired. By the end of first prophase the two chromosomes begin to move apart. Prophase is followed by metaphase.