Definition(s)
- The second phase of mitosis, in which the chromosomes line up across the equatorial plane of the spindle prior to separation.
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Definition from: NCI Thesaurus via Unified Medical Language System
at the National Library of Medicine
- A stage in mitosis or meiosis during which the chromosomes are aligned along the equatorial plane of the cell.
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Definition from: Office of Rare Diseases
at the National Institutes of Health
- Metaphase is a stage during the process of cell division (mitosis or meiosis). Usually, individual chromosomes cannot be observed in the cell nucleus. However, during metaphase of mitosis or meiosis the chromosomes condense and become distinguishable as they align in the center of the dividing cell. Metaphase chromosomes are used during the karyotyping procedure that is used to look for chromosomal abnormalities.
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Definition from: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms from the National Human Genome Research Institute
See also Understanding Medical Terminology.
