met·a·phase (m t  -f z )n. The stage of mitosis and meiosis, following prophase and preceding anaphase, during which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate. |
metaphase [ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindle See also prophase [1] anaphase [1] telophase [1]
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis
| metaphase (mt-fz) 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. See more at meiosismitosis |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  metaphase - the second stage of meiosis meiosis, miosis, reduction division - (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants) phase of cell division - a stage in meiosis or mitosis |
| 2. | metaphase - the second stage of mitosis mitosis - cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes phase of cell division - a stage in meiosis or mitosis |
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