The word Prophage is formed from the Greek words pro meaning origin and phage meaning condition.
Prophase is the first and longest phase of mitosis cell division. At this stage, the nucleus of the cell begins to increase in size. Dehydration of water between the chromosomes begins. Chromosomes increase in dye capacity. Chromosomes gradually shrink as CDK compounds phosphorylate proteins. As a result, the chromosomes become progressively shorter, thicker and more visible. At the end of this stage, each chromosome divides longitudinally without the centromere to form two chromatids. In the process of spiralization, the chromatids of the chromosome are stretched like two springs, becoming thicker and shorter. Phosphorylation of proteins causes the nuclear membrane or envelope and nucleolus to disintegrate. At this stage, the creation of the spindle machine begins.
