A stage in both types of
cell division (
meiosis and
mitosis) in which
chromosomes line up on a
plane that bisects the
cell that is dividing. During metaphase of
mitosis and of the second meiotic division, pairs of sister
chromatids line up on the equatorial plane. During metaphase of the first meiotic division, pairs of
homologous chromosomes (also called
tetrads) line up on the equatorial plane of the dividing cell.
Previous step: Prophase
Next step: Anaphase