What are Mitosis and Metaphase?
It is a type of cell division in which the mother cell divides to produce two new cells (the daughters) that are genetically identical to itself. Mitosis is the part of the division process in the context of the cell cycle, in which the DNA of the cell's nucleus is split into two equal sets of chromosomes.
In our body mitosis involves which the great majority of the cell divisions happens. Mitosis populates an organism’s body with cells during the development and growth and throughout an organism’s life, it replaces old, worn-out cells with new ones. Mitotic divisions are a form of reproduction for single-celled eukaryotes like yeast, adding a new individual to the population.
Each daughter cell gets a perfect, full set of chromosomes in all of these cases to make sure, that is the goal of mitosis. The cells usually don't function well with too few or too many chromosomes, and for this, they may not survive, or they may even cause cancer. So, they don’t divide their DNA at random when cell mitosis undergoes, and toss it into piles for the two daughter cells. In a carefully organised series of steps, they split up their duplicated chromosomes.
Metaphase
A stage of mitosis in the eukaryotic cell cycle in which chromosomes are at their second-most condensed and coiled stage is known as metaphase. Carrying genetic information, aligned in the equator of the cell before being separated into each of the two daughter cells is being done with these chromosomes.
The third phase of mitosis is known as metaphase, which is the process that separates duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell into two identical daughter cells. The metaphase checkpoint that it is ready to divide is an important checkpoint in the middle of mitosis, during which the cell is being ensured.
(Image to be added soon)
Significance of Mitosis
It helps in maintaining the same number of chromosomes in daughter cells after division.
It is responsible for the growth and development of multicellular organisms.
It helps in repairing damaged tissues.
It helps the cell to maintain proper size.
It allows the multicellular organism to maintain its tissues, skin cells, and blood is an example.
Mitosis is important for sexual reproduction indirectly.
Mitosis allows to worn-out, and develop the sexually reproducing organism from a single cell into a sexually mature individual.
Importance of Mitosis
The importance of mitosis are as follows
The chromosome number does not change.
It helps the growth and development of embryos.
It helps the recovery of damaged organs.
It is important for the formation of all body cells.
Mitosis is the basis for sexual reproduction.
It helps not divide the nerve (neurone), and muscle cells.
Metaphase Stage of Mitosis
The chromosomes align upon a theoretical line known as the metaphase plate at this stage. Furthermore, the centrosomes have orientated themselves to opposite ends of the cell. At this stage, the cell will check that all the chromosomes are aligned along with the metaphase plate, with their kinetochores correctly attached. This helps to ensure sister chromatids are split evenly between the two daughter cells. An error in alignment or a spindle attachment will result in the cell halting further progress until the problem is fixed.
Because chromosome alignment at the centre of the cell on the metaphase plate acts as a checkpoint for progression into the next phase, anaphase metaphase can occupy a large portion of the total time of mitosis. Until the chromosomes are properly aligned, cells can arrest in metaphase for days and the cell enters anaphase.
(Image to be added soon)
Fun Facts
Mitosis describes the division of one cell into two identical daughter cells. It occurs in several stages, each stage describing a stereotyped set of changes in cell contents and structure. In this article, we will look at the stages of mitosis and a clinical application of mitosis.
During mitosis one cell divides once to form two identical cells.
The major purpose of mitosis is for growth and to replace worn-out cells.
The chromosomes line up neatly end-to-end along the centre (equator) of the cell and after that, the centrioles stand at opposite poles of the cell with the mitotic spindle fibres extending from them. To each of the sister chromatids, the mitotic spindle fibres attach.
The chromosomes become arranged on the metaphase plate and are attached to the fully formed spindle.
The chromosomes at their most highly coiled and condensed, become arranged on a plane equidistant from the two poles called the metaphase plate.
How does Vedantu Help Students to Learn About Metaphase and Related Topics of Science?
Vedantu is an e-learning platform for students. Vedantu provides quality Study material for Science students with expert and experienced teachers from the best institutes like IITs and top tier colleges of our country.
Students can find several articles and videos by talented teachers covering the syllabus of Metaphase like Question Answers based on the topic. For example- What happens during Metaphase and How many cells does Metaphase have along with hints and step by step guidance and an endnote. Students can also write and upload the answer by just signing up at Vedantu, for free.
Students can also find several videos regarding Metaphase at the Vedantu YouTube channel like Mitosis and Cell Cycle and Cell Division.
Vedantu also provides a one-stop destination to meet all the study material requirements for Metaphase and other relevant topics of Science subject for students from preschool to senior secondary education, all for free. Students can find NCERT Solutions, Reference Solutions, solved Sample question papers and Previous Year's question papers, Important questions and regularly updated Revision notes in both English and Hindi medium students for CBSE, ICSE and also State board examination.
Students can also find free LIVE classes with topic wise explanations and Micro-courses on Metaphase for school exams and entrance exams of IIT JEE and NEET as well at Vedantu. Vedantu ensures LIVE and interactive teaching that makes it a one of a kind experience for students. So what are you waiting for? Download the Vedantu app available at the play store and app store or Register yourself at vedantu.com to begin your best academic adventure now!
In addition to this, Vedantu provides a Vedantu Improvement Promise (VIP) on selected courses that include a money-back guarantee for students who are not satisfied with the track of their progress.
FAQs on Mitosis Metaphase
1. What Happens During Mitosis Metaphase?
At the metaphase plate the chromosomes line up, under tension from the mitotic spindle. By microtubules from opposite spindle poles, the two sister chromatids of each chromosome are captured. The spindle has captured all the chromosomes in the metaphase, and lined them up at the middle of the cell, ready to divide.
2. How Do You Explain Metaphase and Why Metaphase is So Important?
Metaphase Definition. Metaphase is a stage in eukaryotic cell division in which the chromosomes align on the metaphase plate in the middle of the cell. As the microtubules are retracted, an equal tension is applied from each side of the cell to the chromosomes. This moves them to the middle of the cell.
All of the genetic material must be perfectly divided so that exactly one copy of each chromosome goes into each daughter cell. In metaphase, the pairs of chromosomes are all lined up in the centre of the cell, so that they can be pulled apart into the two daughter cells in the next phase of mitosis.
3. Which classes include the topic Mitosis and Metaphase of biology as a part of its syllabus?
Mitosis and Metaphase are included in the syllabus for the students of Classes 7 to 10 and will also be included for biology students of classes 11 and 12. Students will first learn about the process as a part of asexual reproduction. Students will find then understand the same process in depth in their subsequent classes.
4. Why is the topic Mitosis and Metaphase so important for students in the subject of biology?
Mitosis is a part of Asexual Reproduction. And the Metaphase is the third process of mitosis. As a result, for all the classes which include reproduction as their syllabus in one way or the other, students are required to learn about the topics and understand the process.
