The stage during which separation of the paired homologous chromosomes begins is
- zygotene
- pachytene
- diplotene
- diakinesis
Answer
(3) diplotene
Solution
In prophase I of meiosis: zygotene ⇒ synapsis (pairing); pachytene ⇒ crossing over.
As per NCERT, the beginning of diplotene is recognised by the dissolution of the synaptonemal complex and the tendency of the recombined homologous chromosomes of the bivalents to separate from each other except at the sites of crossovers (chiasmata).
∴ Separation of paired homologues begins in diplotene.
Answer: (3)