∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.27 ∞
Phase during mitosis when chromosomes move towards opposite ends of the dividing cell.
Anaphase begins as metaphase ends and ends as telophase begins. More precisely, anaphase begins as the sister chromatid pairs lined up on the metaphase plate separate to become sister chromatids.
Another way of viewing this step is the conversion of a single chromosome that consists of two double helices into two chromosomes each of which consists of single double helix.
The two sister chromatids, now separate chromosomes, move during anaphase to opposite ends of the cell, pulled by what are known as kinetochore microtubules as distinct from the spindle fibers involved in centrosome separation and cell lengthening, the latter in anticipation of cytokinesis.