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Multiple Choice
Which phase of meiosis separates homologous chromosomes?
A
Metaphase I
B
Anaphase I
C
Prophase I
D
Anaphase II
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell.
Recall that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. Each division has its own phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.
In Meiosis I, homologous chromosomes (pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent) are separated. This is different from Meiosis II, where sister chromatids are separated.
Focus on Anaphase I of Meiosis I, where the homologous chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. This is the key phase where homologous chromosomes are separated.
Contrast this with Anaphase II, where the sister chromatids are separated, not the homologous chromosomes. This distinction is crucial for understanding the different outcomes of the two meiotic divisions.