Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
During which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes line up down the middle of the cell?
A
Anaphase
B
Metaphase
C
Telophase
D
Prophase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of mitosis, which is the division of a eukaryotic cell's nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. Mitosis consists of several phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Recall that during prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the mitotic spindle begins to form. The nuclear envelope starts to break down.
Identify that metaphase is the phase where chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary line equidistant from the two spindle poles. This alignment ensures that each new nucleus will receive one copy of each chromosome.
Recognize that during anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers and move toward opposite poles of the cell.
Note that in telophase, the chromosomes begin to de-condense, nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes, and the cell prepares to divide its cytoplasm through cytokinesis.