metaphase
Americannoun
noun
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of metaphase
Explanation
The second stage of mitosis, or cell division, is known as metaphase. During metaphase, the cell's chromosomes line up along its center line. Metaphase com from Greek roots meaning "adjacent or between" and "stage." During this stage, chromosomes stop moving back and forth and are held in the middle of the cell by tube-shaped spirals of protein called microtubules. This prepares the cell for the next stage of mitosis, anaphase, moving it one step closer to dividing.
Vocabulary lists containing metaphase
Cell Biology - Middle School
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Cell Biology - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For almost twenty years, textbooks described CENP-E as a motor that pulled chromosomes to the metaphase plate.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 10, 2025
During metaphase, all of the chromosomes are aligned in a plane called the metaphase plate, or the equatorial plane, midway between the two poles of the cell.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
Sister chromatids line up at the metaphase plate.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
During meiosis, variation in the daughter nuclei is introduced because of crossover in prophase I and random alignment at metaphase I. The cells that are produced by meiosis are genetically unique.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
A pair of second spermatocytes in metaphase, two chromosomes connected, x the odd chromosome.
From Studies in Spermatogenesis Part II by Nettie Maria Stevens
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