Colchicine prevents

Options

A. Condensation of chromosomes
B. Completion of metaphase
C. Interphase
D. Replication of chromosomes

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Colchicine**: Colchicine is a toxic compound derived from the plant Colchicum autumnale. It is primarily used in laboratory settings for research purposes.

2. **Function of Colchicine**: The main function of colchicine is to inhibit the formation of spindle fibers during cell division. Spindle fibers are crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes during mitosis.

3. **Impact on Cell Cycle**: By preventing the formation of spindle fibers, colchicine effectively halts the cell cycle at the metaphase stage. This means that the cell cannot progress to the next phase, which is anaphase.

4. **Consequences of Inhibition**: Since the spindle fibers are not formed, the sister chromatids cannot be separated. This results in the cell being "arrested" in metaphase, unable to complete the division process.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, colchicine prevents the completion of metaphase by inhibiting spindle fiber formation, which is essential for the separation of chromosomes.

---