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metaphase
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metaphase mitosis chromosome
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metaphase
metaphase Metaphase is the stage of mitosis or meiosis in which the chromosomes align along the equatorial plane of the mitotic spindle.

metaphase

biology
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Also known as: metakinesis
Written by
Melissa Petruzzello
Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She has her M.S....
Melissa Petruzzello
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Related Topics:
cell division
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mitosis
mitosisThe process of cell division by mitosis.

metaphase, in mitosis and meiosis, the stage of cell division characterized by the alignment of the chromosomes along the midline of the cell. Metaphase is preceded by prophase and is followed by anaphase.

chromosome
chromosomeA chromosome consists of a set of identical chromatids, which are held together by a centromere.

The mitotic spindle, which is widest at the middle of the cell and tapers toward its poles, forms in the area formerly occupied by the nucleus. When the nuclear membrane dissolves in prophase, some of the microtubules of the spindle are captured by protein complexes on the centromeres of the chromosomes, known as kinetochores. Eventually these microtubules align midway between the poles of the spindle, positioning the kinetochores and their associated chromosomes along the equatorial plane of the cell. At the conclusion of metaphase, the chromatid pairs are positioned to separate.

Melissa Petruzzello