'''Metaphase''' is the time period during [[eukaryote|eukaryotic]] cell division in which chromosomes line up along the equatorial plane of the cell before being drawn apart to opposite poles of the cell. Metaphase occurs once during [[mitosis]] but twice during [[meiosis]] (in meiosis these phases are called metaphase I and metaphase II). Metaphase is preceeded by Prometaphase and followed by Anaphase. Because metaphase chromosomes are highly condensed, scientists use these chromosomes for gene mapping and identifying chromosomal aberrations.
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'''Metaphase''' is the time period during [[eukaryote|eukaryotic]] cell division in which chromosomes line up along the equatorial plane of the cell before being drawn apart to opposite poles of the cell. Metaphase occurs once during [[mitosis]] but twice during [[meiosis]] (in meiosis these phases are called metaphase I and metaphase II). Metaphase is preceded by Prometaphase and followed by Anaphase. Because metaphase chromosomes are highly condensed, scientists use these chromosomes for gene mapping and identifying chromosomal aberrations.