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What happens to the nucleoli and nuclear envelope during prophase?
publish date: 2026/06/16 11:03:15.260050 UTC
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As chromosomes condense during prophase, two prominent structures within the nucleus undergo a visible change.
What happens to the nucleoli and nuclear envelope during prophase?
Correct Answer
They disappear - nucleoli and nuclear envelope break down
Explanation
During prophase, as chromosomes recoil and condense, both the nucleoli and the nuclear envelope disappear. The nucleolus breaks down because ribosome production ceases when chromosomes condense. By the end of prophase the nuclear membrane is no longer visible - it has broken down, allowing the spindle microtubules to access the chromosomes.
Reference
Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide