In preparation for cell division (either meiosis or mitosis), the chromosomes replicate, forming an identical strand. These two strands remain side-by-side, attached by a centromere. The two strands are each a chromatid.

One of two daughter chromosomes after duplication but before separation from the other daughter chromosome (they can also be called "sister chromatids") during cell division. The pair of chromatids are joined together with a centromere, and can be seen during the earlier stages of mitosis and meiosis before the pair is separated and pulled to opposite ends of the nucleus.

From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.

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