Russian

METAPHASE

Metaphase is the third stage of the five stages of the mitotic process of cell division. All chromosomes are situated in the way, that their centromeres lie in the same plain. Kinetochore fibers are responsible for orientation of chromosomes perpendicularly to the axis of the spindle and disposing them on the equal distance from the both poles of the spindle. Every chromosome is kept in a metaphase plate by a pair of kinetochores and two bunches of fibers, connected with them and attached to the opposite poles of the spindle. The metaphase often lasts for long time. It finishes sharply, as if after a special signal. It finishes with division of two kinetochores of each chromosome, and every chromatide begins to move slowly towards a pole of the spindle. Anaphase of mitosis begins.