NEETBotanyCell Cycle and Cell Division
What happens to the chromatids during metaphase?
Options
- AThey are separated
- BThey are held together by the centromere
- CThey are moved to opposite poles of the cell
- DThey are disintegrated
Correct answer
B. They are held together by the centromere
Step-by-step solution
At this stage, metaphase chromosome is made up of two sister chromatids, which are held together by the centromere. Small disc-shaped structures at the surface of the centromeres are called kinetochores. These structures serve as the sites of attachment of spindle fibres (formed by the spindle fibres) to the chromosomes that are moved into position at the centre of the cell. hence, the metaphase is characterised by all the chromosomes coming to lie at the equator with one chromatid of each chromosome connected by i