Pachytene belongs to

Options

A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Growth of cell
D. Development of endosperm

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Term "Pachytene":**
- Pachytene is a specific stage in the process of cell division. It is important to identify which type of cell division it is associated with.

2. **Identifying the Type of Cell Division:**
- There are two main types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half and leads to the formation of gametes.

3. **Locating Pachytene in the Cell Cycle:**
- Pachytene occurs during prophase I of meiosis. Meiosis I is further divided into several stages, and prophase I consists of five stages: Leptotene, Zygotene, Pachytene, Diplotene, and Diakinesis.

4. **Significance of Pachytene:**
- During the Pachytene stage, a crucial event known as "crossing over" occurs. This is the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes, which increases genetic diversity.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Since Pachytene is specifically associated with prophase I of meiosis, the correct answer to the question "Pachytene belongs to" is **meiosis**.

**Final Answer: Meiosis**

---