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Multiple Choice
During which phase of mitosis are chromatids pulled apart?
A
Anaphase
B
Metaphase
C
Prophase
D
Telophase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of mitosis, which is the division of a single cell into two genetically identical daughter cells. Mitosis consists of several phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Recall that during prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the mitotic spindle begins to form. The nuclear envelope also starts to break down.
In metaphase, the chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary line equidistant from the two spindle poles. The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.
During anaphase, the centromeres split, and the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers toward opposite poles of the cell. This is the key phase where chromatids are separated.
Finally, in telophase, the separated chromatids reach the opposite poles, and the nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, which begin to de-condense back into chromatin.