Question

Condensation of chromatin and decondensation of chromosomes occur respectively during

• A. prophase and anaphase
• B. telophase and prophase
• C. telophase and metaphase
• D. prophase and telophase

Answer 1

The correct option is D prophase and telophase

During the prophase stage of mitosis, the chromatin undergoes coiling and packaging to form into compact, short structures known as chromosomes. This is called condensation.

The last phase of mitosis is telophase. During telophase, the chromosomes undergo decondensation. During decondensation, the DNA that is highly coiled gets uncoiled and gets freely dispersed in the nucleus and the chromosomes lose their identity. This leads to the formation of chromatin.

Metaphase - Chromosomes align in the centre of the cell.

Anaphase - Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.