Question

The _______________ is a specialized region of the chromosome that plays a critical role in ensuring distribution of duplicated chromosomes to daughter cells during mitosis.

• A. Telomere
• B. Nucleosome
• C. Chromatosome
• D. Centromere

Hint:

Centromere facilitates chromosome movement and segregation, while Telomeres protect the chromosome ends.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
During cell division, replicated chromosomes must be accurately distributed to daughter cells.
This segregation depends on a specialized region of the chromosome that associates with spindle fibers.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The centromere is the constricted region of a chromosome that links sister chromatids.
During mitosis, the centromeric DNA recruits proteins to assemble the kinetochore, a multiprotein complex.
Kinetochores capture and attach to spindle microtubules originating from opposite poles of the cell.
This attachment allows the cell to align chromosomes at the metaphase plate and pull sister chromatids apart during anaphase.
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of linear chromosomes, providing protection from degradation.
Nucleosomes and chromatosomes are basic structural units of chromatin packaging and are not directly responsible for microtubule attachment.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The chromosomal region that coordinates chromosome segregation during mitosis is the centromere.