Which stage do chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate and attach to spindle fibers?

Which stage do chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate and attach to spindle fibers?

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

Answer: (C)

During metaphase, chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell, the metaphase plate, with sister chromatids held together at their centromeres. Microtubules from opposite spindle poles attach to kinetochores, creating tension that arranges all chromosomes in a single plane. This alignment is essential so that, when the chromatids separate, each daughter cell can receive one complete copy of each chromosome. Earlier stages involve condensation and spindle formation without full alignment (prophase) and kinetochores attaching and chromosomes beginning to move (prometaphase), while later stage at anaphase pulls the sister chromatids apart toward opposite poles.

During metaphase, chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell, the metaphase plate, with sister chromatids held together at their centromeres. Microtubules from opposite spindle poles attach to kinetochores, creating tension that arranges all chromosomes in a single plane. This alignment is essential so that, when the chromatids separate, each daughter cell can receive one complete copy of each chromosome. Earlier stages involve condensation and spindle formation without full alignment (prophase) and kinetochores attaching and chromosomes beginning to move (prometaphase), while later stage at anaphase pulls the sister chromatids apart toward opposite poles.