Final answer:
During mitosis, chromosomes condense and align at the equator of the cell, and then sister chromatids separate to opposite poles. This leads to the formation of two genetically identical cells. The correct description is option (a), demonstrating how mitosis ensures genetic consistency across cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chromosomes Behavior During Mitosis
The behavior of chromosomes during mitosis includes several key steps that result in the production of two genetically identical cells. During prophase, chromosomes condense and become visible. In metaphase, these chromosomes align at the cell's equator and are then separated into sister chromatids during anaphase. These sister chromatids, now individual chromosomes, move to opposite poles of the cell. Lastly, telophase sees these chromosomes begin to decondense, and nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes in the two new cells. This is followed by cytokinesis, where the cell divides to form two separate but genetically identical cells.
The correct option that describes this process is (a) "Chromosomes condense, align at the cell's equator, and separate to opposite poles, ensuring identical division." This is because mitotic division is designed to produce daughter cells that are exact duplicates of the parent cell, hence maintaining genetic consistency across cells. This differs markedly from meiosis, which is a reduction division creating four genetically unique haploid cells through processes like random assortment and crossover.