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

The human cells seemed to invest much more time in the phase of cell division called metaphase.

From Science Magazine

The oocytes were injected at the metaphase II stage of their cell cycle.

From Nature

By examining the chromosomes in metaphase, scientists can see the centromeres that chromosome spindles attach themselves to.

From Washington Times

The forces that shape the structure of the highly condensed metaphase chromosomes seen during cell division in eukaryotes are still largely unknown.

From Science Magazine

The parasite even participates in the equatorial plate that defines metaphase, along with the chromosomes!

From Scientific American