Anafáze

Anafáze, also known as anaphase, is a stage in the cell division process of mitosis and meiosis. It occurs after metaphase and is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids, which were previously aligned at the metaphase plate. This separation is facilitated by the shortening of microtubules from the spindle fibers, which pull the sister chromatids towards opposite poles of the cell.

During anaphase, the centromeres, the regions where the sister chromatids are attached, break down, allowing the chromatids to separate. This results in the formation of two distinct chromosomes, each containing a single chromatid. The separated chromosomes are then pulled towards the poles of the cell by the spindle fibers.

The duration of anaphase is relatively short, typically lasting only a few minutes. The process is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes, maintaining genetic stability. After anaphase, the cell proceeds to telophase, where the chromosomes begin to decondense and the nuclear envelope reforms.