metaphase

[ met-uh-feyz ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

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

metaphase

/ ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz /

noun

1. biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindle See also prophase anaphase telophase
2. the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

metaphase

/ mĕt′ə-fāz′ /

1. 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.
2. See more at meiosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphase¹

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + phase

Example Sentences

Diploid (2n) chromosome numbers were determined from cells in late prophase and metaphase of mitosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Haploid (n) chromosome numbers were determined from cells in diakinesis, metaphase I, and metaphase II of meiosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Figure 29 is the equatorial plate of a metaphase in which the larger component of the unequal pair has been removed in sectioning.

From Project Gutenberg

Figure 260 shows a side view of the second spindle in metaphase, and figure 261 in anaphase.

From Project Gutenberg

Figures 50 and 51 show polar views of the metaphase, the smaller element (x) being the unequal pair.

From Project Gutenberg