Question

What happens to a chromosome during cell division?

Answer 1

Cell division is the process by which a cell splits into two. During cell division that occurs for mitosis, a parent cell divides into two daughter cells that contain the same material that is present in the parent cell.

Complete answer:
A chromosome is a condensed form of DNA. The DNA is tightly wound around histones which are proteins that help in the packaging of the DNA. In the nucleus, there is usually genetic material that is present. At the start of cell division, that is prophase, this chromatin material starts to condense and form chromosomes. There are several things that occur during the various phases of cell division.
Prophase: The chromatin begins to condense and form chromosomes. These chromosomes will eventually start to align in the middle of the cell.
Metaphase: The spindle fibers from the poles attach to the centromeres or the middle portion of the chromosomes. It starts to pull them apart to the opposite ends.
Anaphase: The chromosomes get pulled to the opposite ends. Thus in this manner, the genetic material gets divided into two separate cells.
Telophase: After anaphase is done, the telophase occurs. Over here the chromosomes can finally start the decondensation at the end of the cell division.

Note:
During cell division, the chromosomes go through different processes that depend on the phases of cell division. In prophase, the chromatin in the cell starts to condense into chromosomes, next in metaphase the spindle fibers attach to the chromosomes which pull them apart in anaphase and finally the chromosome becomes chromatin in telophase.