Centromeres split apart during which phase of mitosis?

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of centromeres in mitosis: Centromeres are the regions of a chromosome where sister chromatids are held together. During mitosis, the splitting of centromeres allows the sister chromatids to separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.
2. Review the phases of mitosis: Mitosis consists of several phases—prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Each phase has specific events that occur to ensure proper cell division.
3. Recall the events of anaphase: During anaphase, the centromeres split, and the sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers. This ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: In metaphase, chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, but centromeres do not split. In prophase, chromosomes condense, and the nuclear envelope breaks down, but no splitting occurs. In telophase, the cell begins to finalize division, and chromosomes decondense, but centromeres have already split by this point.
5. Conclude that the correct phase where centromeres split apart is anaphase, as this is the phase where sister chromatids are separated and moved to opposite poles of the cell.