During mitosis, which phase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids?

During mitosis, which phase is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids?

• A. Prophase
• B. Metaphase
• C. Telophase
• D. Anaphase

Answer: (D)

The phase that does this is when the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite ends of the cell. The sister chromatids are held together by cohesin proteins, and at the start of this phase those cohesins are cleaved, releasing the chromatids. The microtubules attached to kinetochores shorten, pulling each chromatid to the opposite pole, so the previously attached chromatids become independent chromosomes moving to opposite sides. This separation sets up the cell to finish dividing its contents in cytokinesis. For context, prophase is when chromosomes condense and the spindle forms, metaphase is when chromosomes line up in the middle, and telophase involves the chromosomes arriving at the poles and the nucleus re-forming. But the key event that marks this phase is the separation of the sister chromatids.

The phase that does this is when the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite ends of the cell. The sister chromatids are held together by cohesin proteins, and at the start of this phase those cohesins are cleaved, releasing the chromatids. The microtubules attached to kinetochores shorten, pulling each chromatid to the opposite pole, so the previously attached chromatids become independent chromosomes moving to opposite sides. This separation sets up the cell to finish dividing its contents in cytokinesis.

For context, prophase is when chromosomes condense and the spindle forms, metaphase is when chromosomes line up in the middle, and telophase involves the chromosomes arriving at the poles and the nucleus re-forming. But the key event that marks this phase is the separation of the sister chromatids.