On the Anaphase Movement of Chromosomes

Abstract

In maize (Zea mays) microsporogenesis, plants homozygous for an abnormal chromosome 10 show secondary centric regions near the ends of various chromosomes. These secondary kinetochores appear shortly before the beginning of anaphase in both meiotic divisions. They become attached to the spindle and move poleward much faster than the primary centric regions thus greatly stretching the chromosomes. Disjunction is regular and the plants fertile. Heterozygous plants also form secondary kinetochores though less frequently.