: Simultaneous with chromosome movement, the cell poles themselves move further apart as the mitotic spindle elongates, effectively stretching the cell in preparation for division. Comparison: Mitosis vs. Meiosis
: Once released, the individual chromatids (now independent chromosomes) move toward the spindle poles. This movement is driven by kinetochores —protein complexes on the chromosomes—which "walk" along microtubules as the fibers shorten. anaphase
While anaphase serves the same general purpose of separation, its mechanics vary depending on the type of cell division: Anaphase (Mitosis) Anaphase I (Meiosis) Sister chromatids Homologous chromosomes Centromere Behavior Centromeres split Centromeres remain intact Result Identical genetic sets Reduction in chromosome number Regulatory Mechanisms : Simultaneous with chromosome movement, the cell poles