How are sister chromatids separated during meiosis?

Sister chromatids are separated during meiosis in the anaphase stage of both meiosis I and meiosis II.

In the process of meiosis, a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, sister chromatids are separated during the anaphase stage. This separation is crucial for the production of genetically diverse sex cells or gametes.

During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes - each composed of two sister chromatids - align at the cell's equator in metaphase I. In anaphase I, these homologous chromosomes are pulled apart by spindle fibres to opposite poles of the cell. However, at this stage, the sister chromatids remain together. The cell then undergoes cytokinesis, resulting in two daughter cells, each with a pair of sister chromatids for each chromosome.

In meiosis II, these two cells undergo a second round of cell division. During metaphase II, the sister chromatids align at the cell's equator. In anaphase II, the sister chromatids are finally separated, pulled to opposite poles by the spindle fibres. After cytokinesis, this results in four haploid daughter cells, each with a single copy of each chromosome.

The separation of sister chromatids is a key process in meiosis, ensuring that each of the resulting gametes contains a unique set of genetic material. This genetic diversity is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it allows for the combination of different sets of genes from two parents in their offspring. The process is tightly regulated by the cell to ensure that each daughter cell receives an equal and correct distribution of chromosomes. Errors in this process can lead to genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, which is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.