Question

What happens in zygotene of prophase I?

Answer 1

Zygotene phase of prophase I:

1. During this stage, synapsis begins with the formation of a synaptonemal complex between homologous chromosomes.
2. Prior to zygotene, the chromosomes begin to condense into long strands inside the nucleus, giving the chromosomes a threadlike appearance.
3. Zygotene is the period in which homologous chromosomes pair or join in a synapse.
4. Synapsis refers to the matching or joining of homologous chromosomes.
5. It might be aided by the synaptonemal complex.
6. The name zygotene comes from the Greek words for paired strands.
7. Pairing can begin at any point on the chromosomes, for example, towards the end or near the centromere.
8. Pairing is also quite particular, as homologous chromosomes must be of identical length and have the same centromere location.
9. Bivalent or tetrad chromosomes are paired chromosomes.