Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
- 2. Chemistry3h 40m
- 3. Water1h 26m
- 4. Biomolecules2h 23m
- 5. Cell Components2h 26m
- 6. The Membrane2h 31m
- 7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
- 8. Respiration2h 40m
- 9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
- 10. Cell Signaling59m
- 11. Cell Division2h 47m
- 12. Meiosis2h 0m
- 13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
- Introduction to Mendel's Experiments7m
- Genotype vs. Phenotype17m
- Punnett Squares13m
- Mendel's Experiments26m
- Mendel's Laws18m
- Monohybrid Crosses19m
- Test Crosses14m
- Dihybrid Crosses20m
- Punnett Square Probability26m
- Incomplete Dominance vs. Codominance20m
- Epistasis7m
- Non-Mendelian Genetics12m
- Pedigrees6m
- Autosomal Inheritance21m
- Sex-Linked Inheritance43m
- X-Inactivation9m
- 14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
- 15. Gene Expression3h 20m
- 16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
- Introduction to Regulation of Gene Expression13m
- Prokaryotic Gene Regulation via Operons27m
- The Lac Operon21m
- Glucose's Impact on Lac Operon25m
- The Trp Operon20m
- Review of the Lac Operon & Trp Operon11m
- Introduction to Eukaryotic Gene Regulation9m
- Eukaryotic Chromatin Modifications16m
- Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control22m
- Eukaryotic Post-Transcriptional Regulation28m
- Eukaryotic Post-Translational Regulation13m
- 17. Viruses37m
- 18. Biotechnology2h 58m
- 19. Genomics17m
- 20. Development1h 5m
- 21. Evolution3h 1m
- 22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
- 23. Speciation1h 37m
- 24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
- 25. Phylogeny2h 31m
- 26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
- 27. Protists1h 12m
- 28. Plants1h 22m
- 29. Fungi36m
- 30. Overview of Animals34m
- 31. Invertebrates1h 2m
- 32. Vertebrates50m
- 33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
- 34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- 35. Soil37m
- 36. Plant Reproduction47m
- 37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
- 38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
- 39. Digestive System1h 10m
- 40. Circulatory System1h 57m
- 41. Immune System1h 12m
- 42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- 43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- 44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- 45. Nervous System1h 55m
- 46. Sensory Systems46m
- 47. Muscle Systems23m
- 48. Ecology3h 11m
- Introduction to Ecology20m
- Biogeography14m
- Earth's Climate Patterns50m
- Introduction to Terrestrial Biomes10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Near Equator13m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Regions10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Northern Regions15m
- Introduction to Aquatic Biomes27m
- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes14m
- Marine Aquatic Biomes13m
- 49. Animal Behavior28m
- 50. Population Ecology3h 41m
- Introduction to Population Ecology28m
- Population Sampling Methods23m
- Life History12m
- Population Demography17m
- Factors Limiting Population Growth14m
- Introduction to Population Growth Models22m
- Linear Population Growth6m
- Exponential Population Growth29m
- Logistic Population Growth32m
- r/K Selection10m
- The Human Population22m
- 51. Community Ecology2h 46m
- Introduction to Community Ecology2m
- Introduction to Community Interactions9m
- Community Interactions: Competition (-/-)38m
- Community Interactions: Exploitation (+/-)23m
- Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0)9m
- Community Structure35m
- Community Dynamics26m
- Geographic Impact on Communities21m
- 52. Ecosystems2h 36m
- 53. Conservation Biology24m
11. Cell Division
Organization of DNA in the Cell
Problem 4
Textbook Question
The centromere is a region at which ________.
a. Sister chromatids are attached to each other.
b. Metaphase chromosomes align.
c. The tips of chromosomes are found.
d. The nucleus is located.

1
Step 1: Understand the term 'centromere'. The centromere is a specialized region of a chromosome that plays a critical role during cell division. It is the point where sister chromatids are held together and where spindle fibers attach during mitosis and meiosis.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the question. Each option describes a different part or function of a chromosome or cell structure. You need to identify which one correctly matches the definition and function of the centromere.
Step 3: Evaluate option (a): 'sister chromatids are attached to each other'. This matches the definition of the centromere, as it is the region where sister chromatids are physically connected.
Step 4: Evaluate option (b): 'metaphase chromosomes align'. This describes the metaphase plate, not the centromere. The metaphase plate is where chromosomes line up during metaphase of cell division.
Step 5: Evaluate options (c) and (d): Option (c) refers to the tips of chromosomes, which are called telomeres, and option (d) refers to the nucleus, which is a separate organelle. Neither of these options is related to the centromere.

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
1mPlay a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Centromere Function
The centromere is a specialized region of a chromosome that plays a crucial role during cell division. It is the point where sister chromatids are held together, ensuring proper segregation into daughter cells during mitosis and meiosis. The centromere is essential for the formation of the kinetochore, a protein structure that attaches to spindle fibers.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Functional Groups
Sister Chromatids
Sister chromatids are identical copies of a single chromosome that are created during DNA replication. They remain attached at the centromere until they are separated during cell division. This separation is vital for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an accurate and complete set of chromosomes.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Eukaryotic Chromatin Modifications
Metaphase Alignment
During metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, known as the metaphase plate. This alignment is critical for the equal distribution of chromosomes to the daughter cells. The centromere's role in holding sister chromatids together is essential for this process, as it ensures that each chromatid is pulled to opposite poles of the cell.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Metaphase
Watch next
Master Organization of DNA in the Cell with a bite sized video explanation from Jason
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice