What happens to chromosomes during anaphase?

During anaphase, the key event is the movement of chromosomes toward opposite poles of the cell. This stage occurs after metaphase, when the chromosomes are aligned at the equatorial plane, and signals the separation of sister chromatids. During anaphase, the cohesin proteins that hold the sister chromatids together are cleaved, allowing the spindle fibers to pull each chromatid apart and toward opposite ends of the cell. This ensures that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes during cell division. This process is crucial for maintaining genetic stability and ensuring that both daughter cells are genetically identical.

In the context of the other options, dispersion of chromosomes generally occurs during telophase, as the cell starts to reform the nuclear envelope around each set of separated chromatids. Duplication of chromosomes occurs during the S phase of interphase, prior to mitosis. The alignment of chromosomes along the equatorial plane happens during metaphase, just before anaphase begins. Thus, option C accurately describes the primary action that takes place during anaphase.