Multiple Choice
Which event occurs during meiosis but not during mitosis in typical eukaryotic cells?
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17. Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Meiosis
Multiple Choice
Which event distinguishes prophase I of meiosis from prophase of mitosis?
A
Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.
B
Homologous chromosomes undergo synapsis and crossing over (recombination) occurs.
C
The nuclear envelope breaks down and the mitotic spindle begins to form.
D
DNA replication occurs to produce sister chromatids for each chromosome.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the context: Prophase I of meiosis and prophase of mitosis are both early stages of cell division, but they have distinct events that differentiate them.
Recall that in mitotic prophase, chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form, but homologous chromosomes do not pair up.
In contrast, during prophase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis, forming structures called tetrads.
Recognize that crossing over (recombination) occurs during prophase I, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, increasing genetic diversity.
Conclude that the key distinguishing event of prophase I of meiosis compared to mitotic prophase is the synapsis of homologous chromosomes and the occurrence of crossing over.
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