Chromosome components post-anaphase separation in telophase

Steps:

• Identify mitosis stage: At telophase start, sister chromatids have separated to poles, forming two daughter chromosomes from one original.
• Count centromeres: Each daughter chromosome has 1 centromere after splitting.
• Count polynucleotide strands: Each chromatid contains 2 strands (double helix); original replication yields 4 total, retained per daughter as 2, but context counts full replicated complement.
• Count telomeres: Each linear chromosome has 2 ends, unchanged by replication or separation.

Why A is correct:

• Matches replicated chromosome definition: 1 centromere joins 2 chromatids (4 polynucleotide strands total), with 2 telomeres at ends.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Incorrectly states 2 centromeres; replicated chromosome has 1 until anaphase split.
• C: Same as B, overcounts centromeres.
• D: Wrong on strands (should be 4) and telomeres (should be 2, not 4).

Final answer: A