What does the centromere do in a chromosome?

The centromere is a critical region of a chromosome that serves as the point where the two sister chromatids are held together. During cell division, particularly in the processes of mitosis and meiosis, the centromere plays a fundamental role by ensuring that chromatids are properly aligned and segregated into daughter cells.

As the cell prepares to divide, spindle fibers attach to the centromere through a structure called the kinetochore, facilitating the movement of chromatids toward opposite poles of the cell. This ensures that each new cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. Therefore, the centromere’s function in attaching the chromatids is vital for the accurate distribution of genetic material during cellular division, highlighting its importance in the chromosome structure and function.