Question

The separation of homologous chromosomes occurs in
A. Anaphase I
B. Prophase I
C. Anaphase II
D. Prophase II
E. Metaphase I

Answer 1

Cell division is the process of dividing cells in different phases. It is of three types; mitosis, meiosis, and binary fission. The eukaryotes undergo mitosis and meiosis cell division that comprises different stages with different phases of division.

Complete answer:
- To solve this question, we have to know about the meiosis cell division. Meiosis is a phenomenon that means a single cell divides twice to form four cells containing half the real number of genetic information. The meiosis divides into nine stages and all these stages are divided into meiosis I and meiosis II.
- Now, meiosis I is divided into Interphase, prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, and telophase I. Interphase is the phase in which the DNA in the cells is copied that results in two identical chromosomes.
- In the prophase I stage the copied chromosomes condense and form X-shaped structures, every chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids that consist of identical genetic information, at the end of prophase I the nuclear membrane get dissolves away and the spindle fibers get appeared.
- In metaphase I, the pairs of chromosomes line up next to each other along the equator, the centrioles are now present in the opposite pole of the cell that has meiotic spindles extending from the centrioles.
- In anaphase I, the chromosomal pairs are pulled apart by the spindles and in this stage, the chromatids stay together. In telophase I, the chromosomes completely move to the poles, every pole of the cell is the full chromosomal set that gathers together.

Thus, the correct option is ‘A’. Anaphase I.

Note: Cytokinesis also takes place along with telophase. The cell undergoes separation that divides the cytoplasm of the parental cell into two daughter cells. But in the meiosis process, one cell gets divided twice to form four cells.