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

Step 1: Frame the statements.
We judge two claims about meiosis. Meiosis I is a reduction division, while meiosis II resembles mitosis.
Step 2: Examine Statement I.
Prophase I has five sub-stages ending in diakinesis, where chromosomes become fully condensed. So Statement I is correct.
Step 3: List meiosis I events.
Meiosis I shows synapsis, crossing over, separation of homologous chromosomes and halving of chromosome number.
Step 4: Compare with mitosis.
None of these events happen in mitosis, so meiosis I is quite different from mitosis.
Step 5: Identify what resembles mitosis.
It is meiosis II, not meiosis I, that resembles mitosis because sister chromatids separate without further reduction. So Statement II is false.
Step 6: Conclude.
Statement I is correct but Statement II is false, which is option 4.
\[ \boxed{\text{Statement I correct, Statement II false}} \]