Final answer:
Anaphase can be distinguished as early or late based on the movement and positioning of the sister chromatids. In early anaphase, the sister chromatids are still attached to each other at the centromere and are being pulled towards opposite poles of the cell. Meanwhile, in late anaphase, the sister chromatids have completely separated and are closer to their respective poles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anaphase can be distinguished as early or late based on the movement and positioning of the sister chromatids. In early anaphase, the sister chromatids are still attached to each other at the centromere and are being pulled towards opposite poles of the cell. Meanwhile, in late anaphase, the sister chromatids have completely separated and are closer to their respective poles. The microtubules continue to shorten in both early and late anaphase, aiding in the movement of the chromosomes.