Fill in the blank: chromatids are pulled apart and move to opposite ends of the cell during __________ of mitosis.

The correct term to fill in the blank is anaphase. During anaphase, the sister chromatids are separated and pulled towards opposite poles of the cell. This stage follows metaphase, where the chromatids line up in the center of the cell. The separation of chromatids is essential for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes when the cell divides.