During meiosis I , in which stage synapsis takes place?
- Pachytene
- Zygotene
- Diplotene
- Leptotene
Solution
Prophase I is subdivided into five phases, viz. Leptotene, Zygotene, Pachytene, Diplotene and Diakinesis.
Leptotene: During this stage, the chromosomes become gradually visible under a light microscope. Compaction of chromosomes continues throughout this phase.
Zygotene: Chromosomes start pairing together. This process is called synapsis. The paired chromosomes are called homologous chromosomes. The formation of synapsis is accompanied by the formation of the synaptonemal complex.
Pachytene: Recombination nodules appear. These nodules are the sites at which crossing over takes place between non-sister chromatids of the homologous chromosomes.
Diplotene: Synapotnemal complex is dissolved at this stage. The recombined homologous chromosomes of the bivalent separate from each other; except at the site of crossing over. The X-shaped structures; thus formed; are called chiasmata.
Diakinesis: Chiasmata is terminated at this stage.
Asked in: NEET 2020 (Phase 2)
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