Anaphase Created 2026-10-14 Updated 2026-10-14
In mitotic anaphase, sister chromatids separate into daughter chromosomes moving toward opposite poles.
Release of cohesin-mediated association permits the sister centromere regions to separate. Each former chromatid is then counted as an independent daughter chromosome. This changes the counting convention without making additional DNA copies. For the example, the whole undivided biological cell transiently contains eight daughter chromosomes, four moving toward each pole. Movement toward poles and separation of the poles both contribute to partition in the illustrated animal setting.[ref]
The Cell Cycle. §10.2, Karyokinesis, Figure 10.6 and Anaphase: release of cohesion, daughter chromosomes and spindle elongation