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

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