At which stage do sister chromatids separate?

At which stage do sister chromatids separate?

• A. Prophase I
• B. Metaphase I
• C. Anaphase II
• D. Telophase II

Answer: (C)

Sister chromatids separate during anaphase II of meiosis. After the first division, the chromosomes have been reduced to haploid sets, but each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids held together at the centromere. In anaphase II, the cohesin proteins at the centromeres are cleaved, allowing the sister chromatids to separate and be pulled to opposite poles. This is followed by telophase II and cytokinesis, which produce four haploid cells. For contrast, during anaphase I the homologous chromosomes separate, so sister chromatids remain attached at that stage.

Sister chromatids separate during anaphase II of meiosis. After the first division, the chromosomes have been reduced to haploid sets, but each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids held together at the centromere. In anaphase II, the cohesin proteins at the centromeres are cleaved, allowing the sister chromatids to separate and be pulled to opposite poles. This is followed by telophase II and cytokinesis, which produce four haploid cells. For contrast, during anaphase I the homologous chromosomes separate, so sister chromatids remain attached at that stage.