Anaphase

Anaphase, from the ancient Greek ἀνά (up) and φάσις (stage), is the stage of mitosis or meiosis when chromosomes move to opposite poles of the cell.

Anaphase accounts for approximately 1% of the cell cycle's duration. It begins with the regulated triggering of the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Metaphase ends with the destruction of cyclin, which is required for the function of metaphase cyclin-dependent kinases (M-Cdks). Anaphase is initiated with the cleavage of securin, a protein that inhibits the protease known as separase. Separase then cleaves cohesin, a protein responsible for holding sister chromatids together. The centromeres are cleaved, too, and the new daughter chromosomes are pulled toward the poles. They take on a V-shape as they are pulled back.

Basically, in anaphase, the chromosomes split and migrate to opposite poles of the cell. While the chromosomes are drawn to each side of the cell, the non-kineticore spindle fibers push against each other, in a ratcheting action, that stretches the cell into an oval.

Once Anaphase is complete, the cell moves into telophase.