Master Anaphase with Picmonic for Pre-Health

Anaphase is the third phase of cell division and is characterized by the splitting of pairs previously lined up along the metaphase plate. This occurs by spindle microtubules from each centriole pulling the chromosome its attached to towards the individual poles. In meiosis I anaphase, homologous chromosome pairs are being separated so that each new cell gets only one parent’s copy of each chromosome (1-23). Whether the cell gets the mom’s chromosome or dad’s chromosome for each of the 23 chromosomes is random which creates genetic diversity. In meiosis II anaphase, sister chromatids pairs are being separated, but these chromatids may not be genetically identical because of crossing over from meiosis I prophase. Finally, in mitosis anaphase, sister chromatid pairs are being separated but are genetically identical because crossing over does not occur in mitosis.