Anaphase II and anaphase I are both stages of meiosis, but they have distinct processes and outcomes.
In anaphase I, homologous chromosomes (each consisting of two sister chromatids) are segregated and pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. This means that the maternal and paternal chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n) in the resulting daughter cells.
In contrast, anaphase II involves the separation of sister chromatids. This occurs in a haploid context where each daughter cell from meiosis I has already received one chromosome from each homologous pair. During anaphase II, the sister chromatids of each chromosome are pulled apart and moved to opposite poles of the cell, resulting in four haploid cells, each with individual chromosomes (now single chromatids).
In summary, the key difference is that anaphase I separates homologous chromosomes, while anaphase II separates sister chromatids.
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