Final answer:
The spindle's role during mitosis is to ensure accurate separation of sister chromatids into two new cells through spindle fibers that attach to centromeres, align chromosomes, and pull them apart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of the spindle during mitosis is integral to the process of cell division. It begins to form during prophase and is made up of microtubules that extend across the cell. These spindles act as molecular railroads where kinetochores on the spindle attach to centromeres of sister chromatids. During prometaphase and metaphase, as the nuclear envelope fragments, the spindle fibers firmly bind to the kinetochores, aligning the chromosomes at the metaphase plate. The spindle ensures that sister chromatids separate accurately and move towards opposite poles of the cell, leading to the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells.
The spindle plays a crucial role in mitosis by helping to separate the chromosomes and ensure that each new cell receives a complete set of chromosomes. It is made up of microtubules that form a complex network extending from opposite poles of the cell. During prometaphase, the spindle microtubules attach to the centromeres of sister chromatids through protein structures called kinetochores. This attachment allows the spindle to pull the sister chromatids apart during anaphase, guiding them towards opposite poles of the cell.