Interphase The cell spends most of its life in this phase. The DNA in chromosomes copies itself ready for mitosis. Prophase The DNA in chromosomes and their copies condenses to become more visible.

How did early biologists unravel this complex dance of chromosomes? The most obvious difference between interphase and mitosis involves the appearance of a cell's chromosomes. During interphase ...

prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Before a cell can enter the active phases of mitosis, however, it must go through a period known as interphase, during which it grows ...