During which stage of cell division are sister chromatids separated?

Sister chromatids are separated during anaphase, which is a critical phase of cell division. During this stage, the cohesin proteins that hold the sister chromatids together are cleaved, allowing the chromatids to move toward opposite poles of the cell. This separation is essential for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. The proper alignment and separation of sister chromatids are crucial for maintaining genetic consistency in the resulting cells, whether during mitosis or meiosis. This phase directly follows metaphase, where chromosomes are aligned at the cell's equatorial plane but have not yet separated. Therefore, the significance of anaphase lies in its role in facilitating the distribution of genetic material, which is fundamental to cell division and reproduction.