Final answer:
During metaphase in cell division, spindle fibers attach to and align the chromosomes at the cell's equator, readying them for even separation into daughter cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the metaphase stage of cell division, the spindle fibers are responsible for aligning the chromosomes along the metaphase plate or equator of the cell. Each chromosome is connected to spindle fibers by its centromere, where the sister chromatids are attached. The spindle fibers will attach to and align the chromosomes at the center (equator) of the cell, ensuring that they will separate and be distributed evenly to the two daughter cells when the cell divides. Some spindle fibers that do not attach to chromosomes are called polar microtubules, which contribute to cell elongation, while others, called astral microtubules, are involved in spindle orientation and the regulation of mitosis.