During anaphase, which is the third phase of mitosis, several key events occur that are critical for proper cell division:
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Separation of Sister Chromatids: Anaphase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids, which are the duplicated chromosomes connected at their centromeres. The centromeres split, allowing the sister chromatids to move apart toward opposite poles of the cell.
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Movement to Opposite Poles: The separated chromatids, now individual chromosomes, are pulled toward opposite ends (poles) of the cell. This movement is facilitated by the spindle apparatus, which includes microtubules that shorten, pulling the chromatids along.
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Ensuring Equal Distribution: As the chromatids move apart, the cell ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes. This is critical for maintaining the chromosome number in the daughter cells.
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Cell Elongation: During this phase, the cell also elongates, contributing to the overall process of division.
Anaphase is a crucial step in the cell cycle, ensuring that genetic material is accurately distributed, setting the stage for the final stages of mitosis (telophase and cytokinesis).