Colchicine arrests which of the following stage of cell division?

Options

A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
C. Anaphase
D. Telophase

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Colchicine**: Colchicine is a chemical compound that is known to interfere with cell division. It is often used in biological research to study the effects of cell division and to induce polyploidy.

2. **Identifying Cell Division Stages**: The main stages of cell division (mitosis) are:
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase

3. **Analyzing Each Stage**:
- **Prophase**: This is the initial stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense and become visible. Colchicine does not arrest this stage.
- **Metaphase**: During this stage, chromosomes align at the cell’s equatorial plate. Colchicine is known to disrupt spindle fiber formation, which is crucial for the alignment and separation of chromosomes. This means that if spindle fibers are disrupted, the cell division will be arrested at this stage.
- **Anaphase**: This stage involves the separation of chromatids. If colchicine is present, this separation cannot occur, but the arrest happens before this stage.
- **Telophase**: In this final stage, the nuclear membrane reforms around the separated chromosomes. Colchicine does not arrest this stage either.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, colchicine specifically arrests cell division at the **Metaphase** stage by preventing the formation of spindle fibers necessary for chromosome separation.

5. **Final Answer**: Colchicine arrests the cell division at the **Metaphase** stage.

---