anaphase

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A cell during anaphase.

Anaphase, from the ancient Greek ἀνά (up) and φάσις (stage), is the stage of mitosis or meiosis when chromosomes move to opposite poles of the cell.

Anaphase accounts for approximately 1% of the cell cycle's duration. It begins with the regulated triggering of the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Metaphase ends with the destruction of cyclin, which is required for the function of metaphase cyclin-dependent kinases (M-Cdks). Anaphase is initiated with the cleavage of securin, a protein that inhibits the protease known as separase. Separase then cleaves cohesin, a protein responsible for holding sister chromatids together.

Basically, in anaphase, the chromosomes split and migrate to opposite poles of the cell. While the chromosomes are drawn to each side of the cell, the non-kineticore spindle fibers push against each other, in a ratcheting action, that stretches the cell into an oval.

Once Anaphase is complete, the cell moves into telophase.

See also

• Anaphase I
• Anaphase II
• Cdc20

External links

• Anaphase at Online Biology Dictionary

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