What is "preprophase"

n. (context biology English) A phase of plant mitosis before prophase

Preprophase is an additional phase during mitosis in plant cells that does not occur in other eukaryotes such as animals or fungi. It precedes prophase and is characterized by two distinct events:

• The formation of the preprophase band, a dense microtubule ring underneath the plasma membrane.
• The initiation of microtubule nucleation at the nuclear envelope.