Final answer:
A parent cell with 6 chromosomes before replication will have 12 sister chromatids during anaphase, as chromosomes duplicate and sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles of the cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
A parent cell with 6 chromosomes before DNA replication will produce 12 sister chromatids that will be present during anaphase.
During the S phase of interphase, a parent cell duplicates its DNA, resulting in the formation of sister chromatids. As each chromosome is replicated, the cell contains two identical copies held together, called sister chromatids. This essential process of DNA replication ensures that each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes during cell division. Specifically, during anaphase of mitosis, these chromatids are separated and pulled to opposite poles of the cell, effectively halving the chromosome number in each resulting daughter cell.
Since the initial number of chromosomes is 6, after replication there will be 6 pairs of sister chromatids, totalling 12 sister chromatids. These pairs are then separated into individual chromosomes and moved to opposing sides of the cell, thus by the end of anaphase, each pole will have 6 chromosomes.