Question

Short interval between Meiosis I and Meiosis II :

• A. Cytokinesis
• B. Diakinesis
• C. Interkinesis
• D. Karyokinesis

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Interkinesis

• The short resting phase that occurs between Meiosis I and Meiosis II is known as Interkinesis (sometimes referred to as Interphase II).

• Characteristics:

  • It is a brief stage where the cell takes a momentary pause before entering the second round of division.

  • Unlike the traditional Interphase (which occurs before Meiosis I), there is no DNA replication or S-phase during Interkinesis.

  • Genetic material does not duplicate again, ensuring that the chromosome number remains reduced from the diploid state achieved at the end of Meiosis I.

• Cellular Processes:

  • While DNA replication is absent, the cell may undergo some limited protein synthesis and duplication of organelles if necessary.

  • Centrioles in animal cells may replicate during this phase to prepare for the formation of the spindle apparatus in Meiosis II.

  • The nuclear envelope and nucleolus may temporarily reform in some species, though this varies significantly depending on the organism.

• Significance: This stage is critical for preparing the two haploid daughter cells resulting from Meiosis I to undergo Equational Division (Meiosis II), where sister chromatids separate.