A stage of mitosis is shown in the diagram. Which stage is it and what are its characteristics? [Figure]
- Anaphase - Centromeres split and chromatids separate and start moving away.
- Late prophase - Chromosomes move to spindle equator.
- Metaphase - Spindle fibers attached to kinetochores, centromeres split and chromatids separate.
- Metaphase - Chromosomes moved to spindle equator, chromosomes made up of two sister chromatids.
Answer
(4) Metaphase - Chromosomes moved to spindle equator, chromosomes made up of two sister chromatids.
Solution
In the diagram the chromosomes lie at the equator of the spindle, with spindle fibres from both poles; the chromatids have not yet separated.
⇒ The stage is metaphase.
As per NCERT, at metaphase each chromosome is made up of two sister chromatids held together by the centromere, and the chromosomes come to lie at the equator (metaphase plate).
Splitting of centromeres and separation of chromatids occur in anaphase, so (3) is wrong.
Answer: (4)