Question

Which phase of meiosis lines the chromosomes up in the center of the cell?

Answer 1

Prophase I : The nucleus disappears, spindle fibers form , and the chromatid pairs form. A major difference occurs here separating this prophase from mitosis prophase. The chromatid pairs pair up with their homologous pair, forming a tetrad. This tetrad contains 2 original homologous chromosomes and their duplicates. The process of crossing over occurs during this time allowing for genetic diversity in the genome. Crossing over is a process where pieces of two homologous chromosomes, switch places and end up on the other chromosome. (1 cell )


Metaphase I : Tetrads line up along the center of the cell. (1 cell )


Anaphase I : The tertads split and move in opposite directions. During this phase the chromatid pairs move away from each other. (1 cell )


Telophase I : Two cells form each containing a complete set of chromosomes in the form of chromatid pairs. (2 cells )


Prophase II : The process continues moving the chromatid pairs toward the center of the cell. (2 cells )


Metaphase II : The chromatid pairs line up along the center of the cell. (2 cells )


Anaphase II : The chromatid pairs split moving the individual chromosomes toward the opposite poles. (2 cells)
Telophase II : Each of the two cells will begin to split in half and produce 2 more cells bringing the total to 4 cells. Each of these cells contain 1/2 the normal number of chromosomes. (4 cells)