Prophase is the phase of the cell cycle Ryan is observing.
Prophase is the first stage of mitosis during which the chromatin condenses to form the visible chromosomes. Also, a structure known as mitotic spindle which is composed of long proteins (microtubules) begin to form from the opposite ends of the cell (centrosomes) and a part of the nucleus where ribosomes are produced disappears during this phase.
The "Introduction" section of a research article contains the detailed background information on the topic and the problem that is being answered by the research.
Experimental design as well as materials and methods are mentioned in the "Materials and Methods" section of a research article.
