What occurs during anaphase I of meiosis?

During anaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes are pulled apart and move toward opposite poles of the cell. This phase is characterized by the separation of each pair of homologous chromosomes, which have previously undergone synapsis and exchanged genetic material through crossing over during prophase I.

During this process, the maternal and paternal chromosomes that form each homologous pair are segregated, ensuring that each daughter cell will receive only one chromosome from each pair. This separation is crucial for reducing the chromosome number by half, a defining feature of meiosis, which results in haploid cells.

In contrast, the separation of sister chromatids occurs later in anaphase II of meiosis. The alignment of chromosomes at the center happens during metaphase, not anaphase. While crossing over facilitates genetic variation, it specifically occurs during prophase I, prior to the separation of homologous chromosomes. Thus, the correct understanding of anaphase I highlights the importance of homologous chromosome separation in meiosis.