What describes a phase in cellular mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equator?

What describes a phase in cellular mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equator?

• A. Telophase
• B. Metaphase
• C. Prophase
• D. Anaphase

Answer: (B)

The phase in cellular mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equator is known as metaphase. During this stage, the chromosomes, each consisting of two sister chromatids, line up along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary plane equidistant from the two spindle poles. This organization is crucial for ensuring that, when the sister chromatids are pulled apart in the following phase, each new daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. The alignment in metaphase is facilitated by the spindle apparatus, which consists of microtubules that attach to the kinetochores of the chromosomes. Proper alignment at the metaphase plate is essential for the accuracy of cell division, preventing errors such as aneuploidy, where daughter cells may end up with an abnormal number of chromosomes. In contrast, during prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible, and the nuclear envelope begins to break down, but alignment does not occur yet. Anaphase follows metaphase and is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids as they are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell. Telophase marks the final stage of mitosis, where the chromatids reach the poles and begin to de-condense back into chromatin, while the nuclear

The phase in cellular mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equator is known as metaphase. During this stage, the chromosomes, each consisting of two sister chromatids, line up along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary plane equidistant from the two spindle poles. This organization is crucial for ensuring that, when the sister chromatids are pulled apart in the following phase, each new daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

The alignment in metaphase is facilitated by the spindle apparatus, which consists of microtubules that attach to the kinetochores of the chromosomes. Proper alignment at the metaphase plate is essential for the accuracy of cell division, preventing errors such as aneuploidy, where daughter cells may end up with an abnormal number of chromosomes.

In contrast, during prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible, and the nuclear envelope begins to break down, but alignment does not occur yet. Anaphase follows metaphase and is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids as they are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell. Telophase marks the final stage of mitosis, where the chromatids reach the poles and begin to de-condense back into chromatin, while the nuclear