Advertisement
Advertisement
metaphase
[met-uh-feyz]
noun
the stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the duplicated chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the spindle.
metaphase
The stage of cell division in which the duplicated chromosomes become aligned along the center of the cell, called the equatorial plate or metaphase plate. Metaphase lasts up to an hour, and ends in mitosis and the second division of meiosis when separation of the paired chromosomal strands (called chromatids) begins. In the first division of meiosis, the paired chromosomes separate from one another. Metaphase is preceded by prophase and followed by anaphase.
Word History and Origins
Origin of metaphase1
Example Sentences
The human cells seemed to invest much more time in the phase of cell division called metaphase.
The oocytes were injected at the metaphase II stage of their cell cycle.
By examining the chromosomes in metaphase, scientists can see the centromeres that chromosome spindles attach themselves to.
The forces that shape the structure of the highly condensed metaphase chromosomes seen during cell division in eukaryotes are still largely unknown.
The parasite even participates in the equatorial plate that defines metaphase, along with the chromosomes!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse