At what phase of meiosis homologous chromosomes are separated?

Options

A. Anaphase II
B. Prophase I
C. Prophase II
D. Anaphase I

Answer

To determine at what phase of meiosis homologous chromosomes are separated, we need to analyze each phase of meiosis and identify where this separation occurs.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Meiosis**: Meiosis consists of two main stages: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. Each stage has several phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

2. **Identifying the Phases**:
- **Prophase I**: Homologous chromosomes pair up (synapsis) and crossing over occurs. This is not the phase where separation happens.
- **Metaphase I**: Homologous chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate, but they have not yet separated.
- **Anaphase I**: This is the critical phase where homologous chromosomes are separated. The homologous chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. Note that the centromeres do not split at this stage.
- **Telophase I**: The separated chromosomes reach the poles, and the cell prepares to divide, but separation has already occurred in Anaphase I.

3. **Meiosis II**:
- **Prophase II**: Chromosomes condense again, but there is no pairing or separation of homologous chromosomes.
- **Metaphase II**: Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate again.
- **Anaphase II**: Here, the sister chromatids are separated as the centromeres split, but this is not the separation of homologous chromosomes.
- **Telophase II**: The sister chromatids reach the poles, and the cells divide again.

4. **Conclusion**: The phase of meiosis where homologous chromosomes are separated is **Anaphase I**.

### Final Answer:
Homologous chromosomes are separated during **Anaphase I** of meiosis.

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