The process of cell division in mitosis is continuous. A German scientist used a(n) dye to observe cells in different phases. He drew what he viewed, then placed the pictures in sequence. During interphase, the chromosomes make copies of themselves. The membrane around the nucleus starts to disappear during prophase. In metaphase, chromosome pairs line up along the cell’s middle. Then, in, anaphase they split apart and travel to opposite sides. During telophase, the cytoplasm divides and two new cells are formed. Each is identical to the original cell. The new cells are in the growth stage of the cell cycle.