Question:

Select the incorrect statement with reference to mitosis:

Updated On: May 2, 2025

All the chromosomes lie at the equator at metaphase
Spindle fibres attach to centromere of chromosomes
Chromosomes decondense at the telophase stage
Splitting of centromere occurs at anaphase

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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Mitosis is a fundamental process for cell division, enabling the formation of two identical daughter cells. Let's assess each statement provided above to determine which one is incorrect with reference to mitosis:

All the chromosomes lie at the equator at metaphase: In mitosis, during metaphase, chromosomes align at the equatorial plate of the cell, forming what is known as the metaphase plate. This statement is correct.
Spindle fibres attach to centromere of chromosomes: During mitosis, spindle fibres attach to a specialized protein structure on the chromosomes known as the kinetochore, which is located at the centromere but not the centromere itself. This statement is incorrect as phrased.
Chromosomes decondense at the telophase stage: During telophase, chromosomes begin to decondense back into their tangled state when the nuclear envelope reforms around them. This statement is correct.
Splitting of centromere occurs at anaphase: In anaphase, the centromeres split and sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. This statement is correct.

Thus, the incorrect statement with reference to mitosis is: Spindle fibres attach to centromere of chromosomes. Spindle fibres actually attach to the kinetochores.

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Concepts Used:

Mitosis

Mitosis is a cell division stage of the cell cycle during which DNA in the nucleus cell gets split into two equal chromosome sets. Cell division results in the formation of genetically identical cells with the same number of chromosomes. Mitosis is also known as equational division.

Features of Mitosis:

In each cycle of cell division, two daughter cells are formed from the parent cell.
The cell is also known as equational cell division because the chromosome number in the parent cell and daughter cell is the same.
In plants, mitosis leads to the growth of vegetative parts of the plant like root tip, stem tip, etc.
Segregation and combination do not occur in this process.

Read Also: Mitosis Stages

Stages of Mitosis are:

Interphase: Technically, it is not a part of mitosis, however, it is still a crucial process as it leads up to the process of mitosis. Hence, the interphase refers to all the other stages of cell cycle other than mitosis.
Prophase: It is the first stage of mitosis. It is also the longest phase of mitosis, where the chromatin condenses into chromosomes and the nuclear membrane breaks down (in prometaphase). In animal cells, the centrioles located near the nucleus begin to split and move to the opposite ends of the cell.
Metaphase: In this phase, the microtubules pull on the chromosomes with equal force, and the chromosome moves to the center of the cell.
Anaphase: This phase is marked by the splitting of the sister chromatids. These sister chromatids then become the chromosomes of the daughter nuclei.
Telophase: It is the final phase of mitosis. It begins after the replicated, paired chromosomes are separated and pulled at the opposite ends of the pole.