what is chromatids

A chromatid is one half of a duplicated chromosome. Before replication, one chromosome is composed of one DNA molecule. In replication, the DNA molecule is copied, and the two molecules are known as chromatids. During the later stages of cell division, these chromatids separate longitudinally to become individual chromosomes. Chromatid pairs are normally genetically identical and said to be homozygous. However, if mutations occur, they will present slight differences, in which case they are heterozygous. The pairing of chromatids should not be confused with the ploidy of an organism, which is the number of homologous versions of a chromosome. Sister chromatids are identical copies of each other, and they are joined together by a common centromere. During cell division, spindle fibers attach to the centromere and pull each of the sister chromatids to opposite sides of the cell. Soon after, the cell divides in two, resulting in daughter cells with identical DNA. Chromatids serve several important functions in cell division, contributing to the accurate transmission of genetic material to daughter cells.