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AIPMTAIPMT 1994Cell : The Unit of Life
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Centromere is a part of a chromosome that attaches to the spindle during cell division. The position of the centromere is a distinguishing feature of individual chromosomes: a chromosome with the centromere at its centre is described as metacentric; one with the centromere towards one end is acrocentric; and a chromosome with the centromere at either end is telocentric. The centromere usually appears as a constriction when chromosomes contract during cell division. During anaphase, the centromere of each chromosome divides into two, so that each chromatid comes to have its own centromere. The two chromatids now start repelling each other and separate completely to become daughter chromosomes. The daughter chromosomes move towards the poles of spindle along the path of their chromosome fibres. In anaphasic movement of chromosomes, the centromeres lead the path while the limbs trail behind.