Question

Given below are two statements: Statement I: Chromosomes are fully condensed at the end of prophase I. Statement II: Meiosis I resembles mitosis. Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• D. Statement I is correct, but Statement II is false

Hint:

Remember: Meiosis I = Reduction division (different from mitosis) Meiosis II = Equational division (resembles mitosis) A common exam trick is confusing Meiosis I and Meiosis II.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Meiosis is a special type of cell division producing haploid cells from diploid parent cells. It occurs in two stages: Meiosis I and Meiosis II Meiosis I is called reduction division because chromosome number becomes half. Mitosis produces identical daughter cells without reduction in chromosome number.

Step 1: Analyze Statement I.
Prophase I is the first stage of meiosis I. It consists of five sub-stages:

• Leptotene

• Zygotene

• Pachytene

• Diplotene

• Diakinesis
During the final stage called diakinesis, chromosomes become maximally shortened and fully condensed. Thus chromosomes are fully condensed at end of prophase I. So Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II.
Meiosis I involves:

• Synapsis of homologous chromosomes

• Crossing over

• Separation of homologous chromosomes

• Reduction in chromosome number
These processes do not occur in mitosis. Therefore meiosis I is fundamentally different from mitosis.

Step 3: Understand which stage resembles mitosis.
Meiosis II resembles mitosis because in both divisions:

• Sister chromatids separate

• Chromosome number remains unchanged during division

• Similar spindle behavior occurs
Hence saying “Meiosis I resembles mitosis” is incorrect.

Step 4: Evaluate statements.
Statement I → True Statement II → False Thus correct conclusion becomes \[ \boxed{\text{Statement I is correct but Statement II is false}} \] \[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer = Option (4)}} \]