Final answer:
The separation of chromosomes during anaphase was discovered through observations with microscopes and was further clarified by the work of scientists like Frans Janssen. Deepening our understanding, we now know that proteins and microtubule dynamics play a crucial role in this process during cell division.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method of chromosome separation during anaphase was discovered through meticulous microscopic observations. Late 19th-century microscopists, using the technology available at the time, observed chromosomes condense from the dispersed cytoplasmic background and remain visible as they moved to opposite poles of the cell during mitosis and meiosis. This visual verification of chromosome behavior during cell division hinted at their essential role in heredity and chromosomal segregation.
In 1909, Frans Janssen noted chiasmata during the process of meiosis. His observation added to the understanding that chromosomes interact and can exchange segments, further highlighting the mechanisms of genetic inheritance. Today, we know that during anaphase, cohesin proteins degrade and the sister chromatids separate at the centromere, with each chromatid now an individual chromosome being rapidly pulled towards the centrosome.
The progression from observing condensed chromosomes to understanding microtubule dynamics has been a significant leap in cell biology. The spindle fibers and kinetochores are like molecular machinery that functions to ensure the correct distribution of chromosomes during cell division. Moreover, techniques such as karyotyping also demonstrate the clear separation and distinction of chromosomes under specific conditions.