Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): During the diplotene stage of meiosis I, the recombined homologous chromosomes of a bivalent do not separate completely from each other. Reason (R): The synaptonemal complex remains intact and stabilizes the bivalents throughout the diplotene stage. In the light of the above statements, choose the

Step-by-step solution

During the diplotene stage, the recombined homologous chromosomes of the bivalents have a tendency to separate from each other except at the sites of crossovers, forming X-shaped structures called chiasmata. Thus, they do not separate completely, making the Assertion true. The beginning of the diplotene stage is recognized by the dissolution of the synaptonemal complex, not its maintenance. Therefore, the Reason is false. Answer: Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false