Definition of Centromere

A chromosome is composed of a structure that is responsible for holding the two chromatids together. This structure is known as centromere and it is the point where the kinetochore is attached. The microtubules of the spindle fibers are anchored by the kinetochore.

The spindle fibers serve the role of pulling the chromatids towards the opposite poles of the cell. This phenomenon occurs during cell division (mitosis and meiosis). When the chromatids get separated, they become a chromosome. In this way, the new daughter cells formed by cell division have a complete chromosomal set.