During meiosis II, which stage involves the movement of sister chromatids to opposite poles?

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

Answer: (B)

Anaphase II is when the sister chromatids are separated and pulled toward opposite poles. This happens after they’ve lined up at the equator in metaphase II, and it’s driven by the shortening of kinetochore microtubules attached to each chromatid’s centromere. Once the centromeres split, each chromatid becomes an individual chromosome and moves toward the pole to which its sister is being pulled. In contrast, prophase II involves chromosome condensation and spindle formation, and telophase II occurs after migration when the chromosomes arrive at the poles and the nucleus begins to reform.