Once researchers understood that chromosomes are moved by the spindle microtubules,the next question they wanted to answer is how the microtubules function to bring about this process.They used fluorescent labels to make the chromosomes and the microtubular structures fluoresce.When anaphase began (centromeres split),they photobleached a section of microtubules.As chromosomes moved toward the poles of the daughter cells,the photobleached sections of the microtubules remained stationary.This result suggests that _____.
A)the microtubules elongate and shorten at the centrosome end
B)the microtubules overlap,and slide with respect to one another,effectively shortening the microtubules without depolymerizing the actual fiber
C)the microtubules elongate and shorten at their kinetochore end
D)the microtubules are of constant length;centrosomes move farther apart to separate chromosomes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The stationary photobleached sections indicate that microtubules shorten at the kinetochore end, not at the centrosome end.

Once Researchers Understood That Chromosomes Are Moved by the Spindle