A scientist looks into a microscope and sees that replicated chromosome pairs are lined up in the center of a cell. The scientist then sees the mitotic spindle from each side of the cell attach to a chromosome. Which mitotic phase is the scientist likely witnessing?
The scientist is likely witnessing the metaphase of mitosis. In metaphase, replicated chromosome pairs line up along the equatorial plane of the cell, also known as the metaphase plate. Additionally, mitotic spindles from opposite ends of the cell attach to each replicated chromosome pair, forming a structure called the kinetochore.
