Prophase of cell division. Coloured high resolution scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen mother cell of a Tradescantia plant at the prophase stage of cell division (mitosis). Mitosis is cell division in which each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. The process is divided into 4 stages. Prophase, the first stage, is pictured here. The chromatin granules of the nucleus (centre, round) have become organized into chromosomes (green). The chromosomes appear as long thin threads, each consisting of two spiral filaments, the chromatids (not easily seen). Magnification unknown.