Questions: QUESTION 25 During chromosomes align along the center of the cell and spindle fibers attach to the sister chromatids. metaphase prophase anaphase telophase
Transcript text: QUESTION 25
During $\qquad$ chromosomes align along the center of the cell and spindle fibers attach to the sister chromatids.
metaphase
prophase
anaphase
telophase
Solution
The answer is the first one: metaphase.
Explanation for each option:
Metaphase: This is the correct answer. During metaphase, chromosomes align along the center of the cell, known as the metaphase plate, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the sister chromatids. This alignment ensures that each new cell will receive one copy of each chromosome during cell division.
Prophase: This is incorrect. During prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope begins to break down, and the spindle apparatus starts to form, but the chromosomes have not yet aligned at the center of the cell.
Anaphase: This is incorrect. During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers and move toward opposite poles of the cell. The alignment at the center has already occurred by this stage.
Telophase: This is incorrect. During telophase, the chromosomes reach the poles of the cell, begin to de-condense, and are enclosed by a re-forming nuclear envelope. The alignment at the center of the cell is a previous event.
In summary, the stage where chromosomes align along the center of the cell and spindle fibers attach to the sister chromatids is metaphase.