Segregation of homologous chromosomes to opposite poles occurs during which meiosis phase?

• A. Anaphase I
• B. Prophase I
• C. Metaphase I
• D. Telophase I

Answer: (A)

During anaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate and are pulled to opposite poles. This step is the reductional division that reduces the chromosome number by half, with each pole receiving one chromosome from each homologous pair. Importantly, the sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres during this phase, so the separation is of whole homologs rather than individual chromatids, which only splits later in meiosis II or during mitotic anaphase. Earlier, prophase I features crossing over and pairing of homologs (forming tetrads), and metaphase I has these homologous pairs aligned at the cell’s equator. Telophase I concludes the first division, often leading to two haploid nuclei.