NEETBotanyCell Cycle and Cell Division
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): After Meiosis I, the chromosome number is reduced to half, but each chromosome still contains two sister chromatids. Reason (R): During Anaphase I, homologous chromosomes separate but the centromere of each chromosome does not split. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is correct because Meiosis I is a reductional division where the chromosome number is halved. However, the chromosomes at the end of Meiosis I (in each of the two daughter cells) are present as dyads, meaning each still consists of two sister chromatids. Reason (R) is also correct and provides the correct explanation for (A). During Anaphase I, the homologous chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles, but the centromeres holding the sister chromatids together do not split. Because the centromere