Why are spindle fibers important during mitosis?
Spindle fibers are important during mitosis because they are responsible for the movement and positioning of chromosomes.
In mitosis, the chromosomes need to be evenly distributed to the two daughter cells. Spindle fibers, which are microtubules, attach to the centromere region of each chromosome and then pull them apart to opposite poles of the cell. This ensures that each daughter cell receives the correct number of chromosomes and avoids genetic abnormalities.
Additionally, spindle fibers also play a role in the alignment and positioning of the chromosomes at the metaphase plate during the metaphase stage of mitosis. They exert tension on the chromosomes, aligning them in a single plane before they are separated during anaphase.
Overall, spindle fibers are crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes and the successful completion of mitosis.