What does anaphase mean?
Anaphase is a noun denoting a critical stage of cell division, occurring in both mitosis and meiosis. It follows metaphase, during which chromosomes line up along the cell's equator, and precedes telophase, when new nuclei form. During anaphase, the paired chromatids — or, in the first division of meiosis, the homologous chromosome pairs — are pulled apart by the spindle fibers and drawn toward opposite poles of the cell, ensuring that each future daughter cell receives a complete and accurate set of genetic material. The word derives from Greek roots: 'ana,' meaning up or back, and 'phasis,' meaning appearance, reflecting its kinship with terms like 'phase' and 'emphasis.' Anaphase is strictly a scientific term, appearing in textbooks, laboratory reports, and research literature rather than casual conversation. Its importance lies in what it represents: the moment of genetic segregation, where fidelity matters enormously, since errors during this brief stage can produce cells with abnormal chromosome numbers, a hallmark of many cancers and congenital conditions.
nounThe stage of cell division (mitosis or meiosis) in which the chromosomes move from the equatorial plate toward opposite poles of the spindle, prior to the final separation of the cell.
- The stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles of the spindle.
- The corresponding stage of meiosis (anaphase I or anaphase II) in which homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids are segregated.
"During anaphase, the sister chromatids were pulled apart toward opposite poles of the dividing cell."
"The biologist stained the cells so that anaphase could be observed under the microscope."
"Errors in chromosome segregation during anaphase can lead to aneuploidy in the daughter cells."
Rarely pluralized in practice; biologists usually refer to 'the anaphase' of a given division rather than counting multiple anaphases.
"The time-lapse recording captured the anaphases of several dividing cells simultaneously."
In a matter of minutes during anaphase, a single set of duplicated chromosomes is split with such precision that each daughter cell receives an exact genetic copy — a mistake here can mean cancer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anaphase
Anaphase comes from the Greek prefix 'ana-' (up, back) combined with 'phasis' (appearance), the same root that gives us 'phase.' The term was coined in the late nineteenth century alongside the other stages of mitosis as cytologists first described cell division under the microscope. It shares its Greek ancestry with related scientific vocabulary built on 'phase,' such as 'prophase,' 'metaphase,' and 'telophase,' which together name the sequential stages of mitosis.
How anaphase is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in biology and medicine; it is always written as one word and is typically encountered in educational and scientific contexts rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with anaphase
Telophase is the later stage in which new nuclear membranes form around the separated chromosome sets, whereas anaphase is the earlier stage in which the chromosomes are actively pulled apart.
Metaphase is the preceding stage in which chromosomes align along the cell's equator, while anaphase is when they separate and migrate to opposite poles.