What occurs during metaphase of mitosis?

During metaphase of mitosis, the critical event that occurs is the alignment of chromosomes along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary plane equidistant from the two spindle poles. This alignment is facilitated by the spindle apparatus, which consists of microtubules that attach to the kinetochores located on the centromeres of each chromosome.

The proper alignment of chromosomes is essential for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an equal and identical set of chromosomes during the subsequent stages of cell division. If the chromosomes do not align correctly, it can lead to unequal distribution of chromosomes, potentially resulting in aneuploidy, a condition that can have significant consequences for cell function and organism development.

In contrast to this process, chromosome replication occurs during the S phase of interphase, and chromosome separation happens during anaphase, while the reformation of nuclear membranes occurs in telophase. Understanding the specific events that characterize each phase of mitosis is crucial for grasping the overall process of cell division.