During anaphase, what happens to sister chromatids?

During anaphase, what happens to sister chromatids?

• A. They remain attached.
• B. They are pulled apart toward the poles.
• C. They duplicate.
• D. They condense.

Answer: (B)

During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart toward the poles. This happens because the cohesin proteins that hold the chromatids together are cleaved, freeing the sister chromatids. Kinetochore microtubules shorten as they depolymerize at the kinetochore ends, pulling each chromatid toward opposite spindle poles. Motor proteins and the longer non-kinetochore microtubules help push the poles further apart, elongating the cell in the process. The other events described occur at different stages: chromosomes remain attached during metaphase, chromatids duplicate during S phase, and chromatin condenses during prophase.

During anaphase, the sister chromatids are pulled apart toward the poles. This happens because the cohesin proteins that hold the chromatids together are cleaved, freeing the sister chromatids. Kinetochore microtubules shorten as they depolymerize at the kinetochore ends, pulling each chromatid toward opposite spindle poles. Motor proteins and the longer non-kinetochore microtubules help push the poles further apart, elongating the cell in the process. The other events described occur at different stages: chromosomes remain attached during metaphase, chromatids duplicate during S phase, and chromatin condenses during prophase.