What happens during anaphase?

During anaphase, the primary action involves the separation of sister chromatids, which are the duplicated copies of each chromosome. As the process occurs, the microtubules of the spindle apparatus shorten, effectively pulling the separated chromatids toward opposite poles of the cell. This movement ensures that each new daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes, maintaining genetic consistency during cell division.

This stage is critical for the proper distribution of genetic material, as any errors in this process can lead to aneuploidy, where cells end up with an abnormal number of chromosomes. The function of the spindle fibers is essential here; they must attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes to facilitate their movement effectively. Understanding this process is vital for grasping how cells replicate and maintain their genetic integrity through successive generations.