MISA Biology Practice Exam 2026 – Your Complete Study Resource

During mitosis, the phase when chromosomes align at the center of the spindle is known as metaphase. At this stage, the chromosomes, which have already been duplicated and consist of sister chromatids, are arranged along the metaphase plate (the equatorial plane of the cell). This alignment is crucial as it ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes during the subsequent division process. The spindle fibers, which have attached to the centromeres of the chromosomes, help facilitate this proper alignment and attachment. This organization is essential for the accurate separation of chromosomes in the following phase, anaphase, where the sister chromatids are pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell.