A scientist investigating mitosis uses a chemical to stop the cell cycle of a single cell at the metaphase stage. Which of these would most likely be observed upon examining the cell? A. Each chromosome consists of two chromatids. B. A cleavage furrow was starting to develop along the equator. C. Individual chromatids are located at opposite ends of the cell. D. New nuclear membranes were beginning to form around the genetic material.

## Step 1<br />The problem is about the process of mitosis, specifically the metaphase stage. Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. It is a fundamental process in biology that ensures the continuity of genetic material from one generation to the next.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />During the metaphase stage of mitosis, the chromosomes align at the equatorial plate of the cell. This is a crucial step in mitosis as it ensures that each daughter cell will receive an equal share of the genetic material.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The chromosomes at this stage consist of two sister chromatids, which are held together by a centromere. This is a key characteristic of the metaphase stage of mitosis.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The other options (B, C, and D) describe events that occur in other stages of mitosis, not the metaphase. For example, the cleavage furrow (option B) is a feature of cytokinesis, which is the final stage of cell division. Individual chromatids being located at opposite ends of the cell (option C) is a characteristic of anaphase, not metaphase. New nuclear membranes beginning to form around the genetic material (option D) is a feature of telophase, the final stage of mitosis.