During which phase do chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell?

During the metaphase of cell division, chromosomes align at the center of the cell, forming what is known as the metaphase plate. This alignment is crucial because it ensures that, during the subsequent phase (anaphase), each daughter cell will receive an equal and accurate distribution of chromosomes. The spindle fibers, which are part of the cell's cytoskeletal structure, attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes at this stage, facilitating their movement to opposite poles of the cell. The precise arrangement of chromosomes in metaphase plays a key role in maintaining genetic stability across generations of cells.