What forms at the metaphase plate during metaphase of mitosis?

During metaphase of mitosis, replicated chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary plane equidistant from the two spindle poles. This alignment is crucial for ensuring that when the chromosomes are separated during the next phase of mitosis, each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

The process involves the spindle fibers, which are responsible for attaching to the centromeres of the chromosomes and positioning them correctly at the metaphase plate. However, the forming of the metaphase plate specifically refers to the organization and alignment of the replicated chromosomes themselves.

The cleavage furrow is formed later in the cytokinesis phase and is not associated with metaphase, while the nuclear envelope disintegrates prior to metaphase to allow the chromosomes to be accessed by the spindle fibers. Therefore, the correct understanding of what forms at the metaphase plate specifically points to the replicated chromosomes.