In which phase do the chromatids line up along the equatorial plate?

During the metaphase of cell division, specifically in mitosis, the chromatids align along the equatorial plate, often referred to as the metaphase plate. This arrangement is crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes, as it ensures that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. The alignment occurs due to the attachment of spindle fibers from the centrosomes to the kinetochores of each chromatid.

This phase is characterized by the clear visibility of chromosomes under a microscope, as they condense and become more organized. The precise alignment sets the stage for the next phase, anaphase, where the chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell. In contrast, during prometaphase, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and chromosomes begin to move but are not fully aligned, while telophase focuses on the reformation of the nuclear envelope and the decondensation of chromosomes.