Final answer:
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes will associate with one another. The process of chromosome pairing is called synapsis. Synapsis occurs E. zygotene
Step-by-step explanation:
During meiosis, the process of chromosome pairing is called synapsis, and it occurs in different stages. The stages of meiotic prophase I are leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and diakinesis. The homologous chromosomes associate with each other during the zygotene stage of meiotic prophase I.
During zygotene, the synaptonemal complex forms between the homologous chromosomes, which allows for precise alignment of genes on chromatids. This complex also supports the exchange of chromosomal segments between non-sister homologous chromatids through a process called crossing over. The crossing over is the first source of genetic variation generated during meiosis.
In conclusion, the process of chromosome pairing during meiosis, called synapsis, occurs during the zygotene stage of meiotic prophase I. The correct answer is E. zygotene.