Which phase of mitosis is characterized by the separation of sister chromatids?

The phase of mitosis characterized by the separation of sister chromatids is during anaphase. During this stage, the paired sister chromatids, which have been aligned at the metaphase plate, are pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell. This separation is facilitated by the spindle fibers, which attach to the centromeres of the chromatids and shorten, effectively pulling the individual chromatids away from each other.

This step is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes, thereby maintaining genetic consistency. Understanding the dynamics of anaphase is fundamental in cell division, as errors in this phase can lead to aneuploidy, which is an abnormal number of chromosomes in the daughter cells.