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Metaphase, anaphase, and telophase are three stages of mitosis, the process by which a cell divides and produces two identical daughter cells.
In metaphase, the chromosomes, which contain the genetic material of the cell, align themselves in the center of the cell. This alignment is called the metaphase plate. The chromosomes are attached to spindle fibers, which are long protein structures that help move the chromosomes during cell division. The alignment of the chromosomes in metaphase ensures that each daughter cell will receive the correct number of chromosomes.
Anaphase follows metaphase. During anaphase, the spindle fibers contract and pull the sister chromatids apart. Sister chromatids are identical copies of each chromosome that are held together by a structure called the centromere. As the sister chromatids separate, they are pulled towards opposite poles of the cell. This ensures that each daughter cell will receive one copy of each chromosome.
Finally, in telophase, the separated chromosomes reach the opposite poles of the cell. Nuclear envelopes start to form around each set of chromosomes, creating two new nuclei. The cell then starts to divide in a process called cytokinesis, which leads to the formation of two daughter cells, each with a complete set of chromosomes.
To summarize, metaphase is the stage where the chromosomes align in the center of the cell, anaphase is when the sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles, and telophase is when the chromosomes reach the poles and new nuclei begin to form. These stages ensure the accurate distribution of chromosomes to each daughter cell during cell division.
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