Question

Which type of chromosome will appear 'L' -shaped during anaphase?
A. Telocentric
B. Acrocentric
C. Metacentric
D. Sub metacentric

Answer 1

Anaphase is the fourth stage of mitosis; a phase that divides duplicate genetic information from the nucleus of the parent cell into two identical daughter cells. During anaphase, the sister chromatids detach and shift to the spindle poles.

Complete step by step answer: Each set of chromosomes is split up into two identical, distinct chromosomes during anaphase. The chromosomes are segregated by a structure known as the mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle is composed of many other long proteins called microtubules that are connected to the chromosome at one end and to the pole of the cell at another end. Sister chromatids are distributed at the same time in their centromeres. A chromosome contains two arms: p (shorter) and q (longer). Both could be bound either in a metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric or telocentric framework during mitotic division. If the width of the arms is uneven, the chromosome is assumed to be sub-metacentric. They're L-shaped. Separate chromosomes will then be pushed by a spindle to adjacent ends of a cell. Sub- metacentric chromosomes do have centromere slightly offset from centre resulting in a mild asymmetry as in length of the two parts. Chromosomes 4 to 12 in humans are submetacentric.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Note: Shape of the chromosome is usually determined based on the position of the centromere on the chromosome. The centromere of a telocentric chromosome is positioned at the terminal end of the chromosome. Consequently, the telocentric chromosome only has one arm.