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metaphase
The stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the chromosomes become aligned on the equatorial plane of the cell separating the centromeres.
In mitosis & the 2nd 1/2 of meiosis, the centomeres of each chromosome divide & the 2 daughter centromeres migrate to opposite poles of the cell.
In the 1st 1/2 of meiosis, the centromeres do NOT divide, but the centromeres of each homologous pair of chromosomes migrate to opposite poles of the cell.
Colchicine is used to arrest chromosomes in metaphase.
Related
colchicine (Colcrys, Lodoco)
General
mitosis
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American
College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
Components
metaphase plate