metaphase

[ met-uh-feyz ]

/ ˈmɛt əˌfeɪz /

noun Cell Biology.

the stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the duplicated chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the spindle.

Nearby words

metanira, metanitrophenol, metanoia, metapelet, metaph., metaphase, metaphase plate, metaphen, metaphor, metaphosphate, metaphosphoric acid

Origin of metaphase

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + phase

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metaphase

Metaphase of first maturation division, showing the element x in various positions.
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2)|Nettie Maria Stevens
The second maturation division is seen in metaphase in figure 220 and in anaphase in figure 221.
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2)|Nettie Maria Stevens
Figures 50 and 51 show polar views of the metaphase, the smaller element (x) being the unequal pair.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens
In the metaphase (fig. 182) it is the last to come into the equatorial plate, possibly because of its lack of symmetry.
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2)|Nettie Maria Stevens

Figure 29 is the equatorial plate of a metaphase in which the larger component of the unequal pair has been removed in sectioning.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens

British Dictionary definitions for metaphase

metaphase

/ (ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz) /

noun

biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindleSee also prophase (def. 1), anaphase (def. 1), telophase (def. 1)

the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for metaphase

metaphase

[ mĕt′ə-fāz′ ]

n.

The stage of mitosis and meiosis, following prophase and preceding anaphase, during which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate.

Science definitions for metaphase

metaphase

[ mĕt′ə-fāz′ ]

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. See more at meiosis mitosis.