What process are unique to metaphase I (meiosis) that doesn't occur during metaphase of mitosis?
1 Answer
Nov 9, 2015
It is the crossing over and independent assortment.
Explanation:
In metaphase I homologous chromosomes line at the equator where each pair meet and may exchange some genetic material. The paternal and maternal chromosomes face each other, but it is not a must that all paternal are on one side and all maternal are on the other, so it could be a mix and match. This is independent assortment. Exchanging parts of the chromosome between both happens at the point of chiasmata, and this process is the crossing over. In metaphase II all the chromosomes align at the equator in a raw for the sister chromatids to be separated later in anaphase II.
