mitosis
particularly prophase
Chromosomes are visible during cell division, specifically during mitosis and meiosis. This is when the chromosomes condense and become more distinguishable. In interphase, the chromosomes are less condensed and not easily visible as individual structures.
You can tell when a cell is undergoing division by observing the cell's chromatin condensing into distinct chromosomes, the appearance of a cell membrane or nuclear envelope between the two newly forming cells, and the splitting of the cytoplasm to create two separate daughter cells.
The chromosomes coil and become short and visible. (In animal cells) The centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell (the poles are themselves determined by the final position of the chromosomes.) At the end of prophase, the nucleolus and the nuclear envelope disappear.
Chromosomes are not always visible because they are usually tightly packed and condensed into a structure called chromatin during most phases of the cell cycle. It is only during cell division when chromosomes become highly condensed and visible under a microscope.
It's generally agreed upon that chromosomes become visible during prophase of the cell cycle. Some scientists will say prometaphase (sort of a bridge between prophase and metaphase). Mitosis would occur after telophase of the cell cycle (Prophase, Metephase, Anaohase, Telophase).
During Prophase
Chromosomes are not visible during the interphase stage of the cell cycle when they are in their less condensed form. Additionally, chromosomes may not be visible if the cell is not actively dividing or if they are not stained for observation under a microscope.
During Interphase the DNA is not in the form of chromosomes. It is not until Prophase that it condenses and chromosomes become visible.
Chromosomes are visible during cell division, specifically during mitosis and meiosis. This is when the chromosomes condense and become more distinguishable. In interphase, the chromosomes are less condensed and not easily visible as individual structures.
Interphase
You can tell when a cell is undergoing division by observing the cell's chromatin condensing into distinct chromosomes, the appearance of a cell membrane or nuclear envelope between the two newly forming cells, and the splitting of the cytoplasm to create two separate daughter cells.
During the interphase of the cell cycle, chromosomes are not individually visible. Instead, they are uncoiled and spread throughout the nucleus as chromatin. This phase is focused on growth, organelle replication, and preparing for cell division.
The chromosomes coil and become short and visible. (In animal cells) The centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell (the poles are themselves determined by the final position of the chromosomes.) At the end of prophase, the nucleolus and the nuclear envelope disappear.
Chromosomes are not always visible because they are usually tightly packed and condensed into a structure called chromatin during most phases of the cell cycle. It is only during cell division when chromosomes become highly condensed and visible under a microscope.
The chromosomes in a cell's nucleus are only visible during the part of the cell cycle known as prophase. Prophase is the stage of mitosis in which chromatin condensation occurs.
It's generally agreed upon that chromosomes become visible during prophase of the cell cycle. Some scientists will say prometaphase (sort of a bridge between prophase and metaphase). Mitosis would occur after telophase of the cell cycle (Prophase, Metephase, Anaohase, Telophase).
Interphase