= Kinetochore
{wiki}
A <kinetochore> is a <protein> assembly at a <centromere> that attaches a <chromosome> to <microtubules> of the <spindle apparatus>. Each replicated <chromosome> has sister <kinetochores>; their attachment and subsequent separation help distribute the copied material. A <kinetochore> is therefore the attachment machinery, while the <centromere> is its <chromosome> site.<Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark and others/The Process of Meiosis>[Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark and others; §11.1, Prometaphase I and Prometaphase II]{ref}
The <kinetochore ablation experiment> tests this mechanical role directly. Counting <kinetochores> as independent <chromosomes> before sister separation would confuse duplicated attachment machinery with <ploidy>.
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