What is the centromere?
Q: What is the centromere?
A: The centromere is a special region of a chromosome, usually near the middle, where the two identical sister chromatids stay in contact as the chromosome attaches to the spindle in mitosis.
Q: What type of DNA is contained in the centromere?
A: The region contains specific types of DNA, which are tandem repetitive sequences (satellite DNA).
Q: What are the proteins that bind to the specific DNA sequences in the centromere called?
A: These sequences bind specific proteins called "cen"-proteins.
Q: When can centromeres be seen during mitosis?
A: During mitosis the centromeres can be seen during the metaphase stage as a constriction at the chromosome.
Q: What happens at the centromeric constriction during metaphase?
A: At this centromeric constriction the two halves of the chromosome, the sister chromatids, are held together until late metaphase.
Q: Why is the centromere important in mitosis?
A: The centromere is important in mitosis because it ensures that the sister chromatids are held together until they are ready to be separated during cell division.
Q: What type of DNA is found in the centromere?
A: The centromere contains tandem repetitive sequences (satellite DNA).
