Which phase follows metaphase in the cell cycle of mitosis?

The phase that follows metaphase in the cell cycle of mitosis is Anaphase. During metaphase, the chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plate, with spindle fibers attached to their centromeres. Once all chromosomes are properly aligned, the cell transitions into anaphase.

During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite poles of the cell. This separation is crucial as it ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes during cell division. The process is driven by the shortening of spindle fibers, which facilitates the movement of chromatids.

Understanding the sequence of these phases is important for grasping how cell division occurs accurately and how errors in this process can lead to problems such as aneuploidy, where cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes. The other phases listed either occur before metaphase or represent a distinct stage of the cell cycle, making them not applicable in this context.