Homologous chromosomes move toward opposite poles of a dividing cell during what phase of division in meiosis? An Insight into How Homologous Chromosomes Move Toward Opposite Poles of a Dividing Cell During Meiosis

An Insight into How Homologous Chromosomes Move Toward Opposite Poles of a Dividing Cell During Meiosis

The process of meiosis is a key component of sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms. During this process, one round of replication of the genome is followed by two successive rounds of nuclear divisions. During the first round of division, known as meiosis I, homologous chromosomes move toward opposite poles of the dividing cell. This process is known as segregation, and it is essential for the production of haploid gametes from diploid cells (Sturtevant, 2017). The process of segregation is initiated by the spindle apparatus, which is a microtubule structure that connects sister chromatids, and then moves them towards the opposite poles. This movement is due to the activity of kinesin motor proteins, which use energy from ATP hydrolysis to move along the microtubules and separate the chromatids (Furukawa et al., 2018). During meiosis I, the homologous chromosomes also exchange genetic material in a process known as recombination, which further increases genetic diversity in the gametes (Gardiner et al., 2020). Cont….