Question Detail
Question
The amount of DNA in a mammalian cell in early prophase1 is X. What is the amount of DNA in the same cell in anaphase1 of meiosis?
Correct Answer
Option D is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
In early prophase I, DNA replication has already occurred, so the cell has twice the amount of DNA as a normal diploid cell (2n, 4c), which we are calling X. During anaphase I, homologous chromosomes separate, but sister chromatids remain together. The cell is still intact, so the total DNA content within the single cell remains the same as it was at the start of prophase I. It hasn't split into two cells yet. Therefore, the DNA amount is still X.
Hint
Has the cell divided into two by anaphase I, or are the chromosomes just moving to opposite poles within one cell?