Which description matches anaphase?

• A. The chromosomes align at the equator
• B. The nuclear envelope reforms around chromosomes
• C. Phase of mitosis in which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell
• D. The cytoplasm divides

Answer: (C)

During mitosis, the step where the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite poles is the stage in which the centromeres split and the chromatids are tugged by shortening kinetochore microtubules, while the poles are pushed farther apart by lengthening non-kinetochore microtubules. This separation ensures that each daughter cell will receive a complete set of chromosomes. The statement describing chromosomes separating and moving to opposite ends of the cell matches this event most directly. The other descriptions correspond to different stages: aligning at the cell’s equator is metaphase; the nuclear envelope reforms around chromosomes is telophase; and the cytoplasm divides is cytokinesis.