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Multiple Choice
Which event occurs only during prophase I of the first meiotic division?
A
Homologous chromosomes line up at the center of the cell.
B
The nuclear membrane breaks down.
C
Replication of DNA takes place.
D
A spindle of microtubules forms.
E
Synapsis of homologous pairs occurs.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context of meiosis: Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells. It consists of two stages: meiosis I and meiosis II.
Focus on prophase I: This is the first stage of meiosis I, where several key events occur that are crucial for genetic diversity.
Identify synapsis: During prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis. This is unique to meiosis and does not occur in mitosis.
Recognize the significance of synapsis: Synapsis allows for crossing over, where segments of DNA are exchanged between homologous chromosomes, leading to genetic variation.
Differentiate from other events: While the nuclear membrane breaks down and spindle formation occurs in both mitosis and meiosis, synapsis is specific to prophase I of meiosis.