AP BIOLOGY

CELL DIVISION

MEIOSIS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Independent assortment contributes to genetic diversity. When does independent assortment occur?
A
Prophase I
B
Metaphase I
C
Anaphase I
D
Prophase II
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -What stage of meiosis does independent assortment occur? Independent assortment in meiosis takes place in eukaryotes during metaphase I of meiotic division. It produces a gamete carrying mixed chromosomes. Gametes contain half the number of regular chromosomes in a diploid somatic cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: The stage of meiosis where independent assortment occurs is metaphase I.

Detailed explanation-3: -Metaphase I For example, if the two homologous members of chromosome 1 are labeled a and b, then the chromosomes could line up a-b, or b-a. This is important in determining the genes carried by a gamete, as each will only receive one of the two homologous chromosomes. This is called Independent Assortment.

Detailed explanation-4: -During metaphase of meiosis I, synapsed pairs of homologous chromosomes (known as bivalents or tetrads) are lined up on an imaginary plane in the middle of the cell called the metaphase plate. The chromosomes are attached to spindle fibres at their centromeres.

Detailed explanation-5: -The law of independent assortment states that the random orientation of homologous chromosome pairs during metaphase I allow for the production of gametes with many different assortments of homologous chromosomes.

There is 1 question to complete.