AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During zygotene, homologous chromosomes begin to align along their entire length by a process called synapsis that is necessarily precise. Each pair of chromosomes is held together by a ribbon-like protein and forms the synaptonemal complex.

Detailed explanation-2: -Synapsis takes place during the zygotene stage of prophase I of meiosis.

Detailed explanation-3: -1: Synapsis holds pairs of homologous chromosomes together: Early in prophase I, homologous chromosomes come together to form a synapse. The chromosomes are bound tightly together and in perfect alignment by a protein lattice called a synaptonemal complex and by cohesin proteins at the centromere.

Detailed explanation-4: -During prophase I, the pairs of homologous chromosomes come together to form a tetrad or bivalent, which contains four chromatids. Recombination can occur between any two chromatids within this tetrad structure.

Detailed explanation-5: -Meiosis I, the first meiotic division, begins with prophase I. During prophase I, the complex of DNA and protein known as chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. The pairs of replicated chromosomes are known as sister chromatids, and they remain joined at a central point called the centromere.