What occurs during anaphase of cell division?

During anaphase of cell division, specifically in mitosis, the key event is the separation of sister chromatids. As the cell enters anaphase, the protein complexes that hold the sister chromatids together are cleaved, allowing them to be pulled apart by the spindle fibers. This movement is facilitated by the shortening of the microtubules attached to the chromosomes, which ensures that each chromatid is pulled toward opposite poles of the cell. This separation is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes during the subsequent stages of cell division.

The focus on chromosomes moving to opposite ends is essential because it sets up the eventual division of the cell into two genetically identical daughter cells. This action is a critical part of ensuring proper genetic material distribution, which is necessary for the growth and repair of tissues in multicellular organisms. Other stages of cell division, like cytokinesis or telophase, handle the final separation of the cell structures, but the critical movement of chromosomes occurs during anaphase.