What is the role of spindle fibres in mitosis?

Spindle fibres in mitosis help to separate the chromosomes into two identical sets during cell division.

Spindle fibres play a crucial role in mitosis, which is the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. These fibres are part of the cell's cytoskeleton, a network of protein filaments that give the cell its shape and help with cell movement.

During the early stages of mitosis, the spindle fibres begin to form. They originate from structures called centrosomes, which move to opposite ends of the cell. As the cell prepares to divide, the chromosomes, which have already duplicated, line up in the middle of the cell. Each chromosome is connected to both poles of the spindle by a spindle fibre.

In the next phase of mitosis, the spindle fibres contract, pulling the chromosomes apart. Each set of chromosomes is pulled towards a different pole of the cell. This ensures that each new cell will receive one copy of each chromosome.

Without spindle fibres, the chromosomes would not be able to move to the correct location during cell division. This could result in cells with too many or too few chromosomes, which can lead to various genetic disorders. Therefore, the role of spindle fibres in mitosis is vital for the proper division and genetic stability of cells.