what happens during anaphase of mitosis

During anaphase of mitosis, the sister chromatids separate at the centromere and are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

Quick Scoop

• Chromatids split apart
  The protein “glue” holding sister chromatids together is broken down, so each chromatid becomes an individual chromosome.

• Chromosomes move to opposite poles
  Kinetochore microtubules attached to the centromeres shorten, pulling the chromosomes toward opposite ends of the cell.

• Spindle helps stretch the cell
  Other (non‑kinetochore/polar) microtubules elongate and push the poles apart, causing the cell to lengthen.

• Sets up two identical nuclei
  By the end of anaphase, each pole has an identical set of chromosomes, ready for telophase and then cytokinesis.

A handy way to remember it: “ana-” = apart — anaphase is when the duplicated chromosomes move apart to opposite sides of the cell.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.