Final answer:
The mitotic spindle is the structure that separates duplicated eukaryotic chromosomes during M phase, with the kinetochore ensuring proper attachment and alignment at the centrosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that allows each duplicated eukaryotic chromosome to be separated during M phase is the mitotic spindle. This dynamic structure is composed of microtubules that emanate from the centrosomes, which duplicate during the S phase of the cell cycle. During mitosis, specifically from prometaphase onward, chromosomes attach to the mitotic spindle via a specialized protein complex known as the kinetochore. This occurs at the chromosome's centromere, ensuring proper alignment and segregation of the sister chromatids to the opposite poles of the cell in anaphase, leading to accurate cell division.
The mitotic spindle is a crucial structure facilitating the separation of duplicated eukaryotic chromosomes during M phase of the cell cycle. Composed of dynamic microtubules, it originates from duplicated centrosomes, which form during the S phase. In mitosis, starting from prometaphase, chromosomes connect to the mitotic spindle through specialized protein complexes called kinetochores, located at the centromere of each chromosome. This attachment ensures precise alignment, enabling proper segregation of sister chromatids during anaphase. As microtubules shorten and sister chromatids move towards opposite poles, the cell undergoes cytokinesis, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells. The orchestrated interplay between the mitotic spindle, centrosomes, and kinetochores is fundamental to maintaining genomic stability and ensuring accurate cell division in eukaryotic organisms.