Question

The enzyme recombinase is required at which stage of meiosis?

• A. Zygotene
• B. Diplotene
• C. Pachytene
• D. Diakinesis

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Pachytene

The correct option is C.

Explanation of the correct option:-

1. Pachytene stage is basically a stage of the meiotic prophase that will immediately follow the zygotene and further is characterized by the paired chromosomes which are thickened and visibly divided into the chromatids or by the occurrence of crossing over.
2. The pachytene stage is a long stage where there is an exchange of the chromosome material between the maternal and paternal homologous chromosomes.
3. The enzyme involved in this process is called recombinase which acids in the recombination of genes between homologous chromosomes.

Explanation for the incorrect answer:

Option A:

1. It is basically the second stage in the meiosis which is just preceded by the leptotene stage and here the uncoiling or the condensing of the chromosomes will take place.
2. In this stage generally the homologous chromosomes will come together for getting paired.

Option B:

1. It is also a stage in meiosis which will follow the pachytene.
2. So, basically it is the fourth stage at which chiasmata formation and the start of the desynapsis will take place.

Option D:

1. So the last or the fifth stage of meiosis process in Diakinesis.
2. At this stage chromosomes will condense and at this stage the four parts of the tetrads are just actually visible.

Final answer: The enzyme recombinase is required at pachytene stage of meiosis.