Final answer:
The correct answer is C. Homologous chromosomes stick together in pairs during prophase I of meiosis. This pairing is essential for crossing-over, leading to genetic diversity, and sets the stage for the subsequent alignment and separation of these pairs in later phases of meiosis, culminating in four unique haploid cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
In meiosis I, specifically during prophase I, the homologous chromosomes undergo a process of pairing which is unique to meiosis. This stage is characterized by the formation of synapsed homologous chromosomes, known as tetrads, due to the association of sister chromatids. This key feature of prophase I facilitates the crucial process of crossing-over where segments of DNA are exchanged between homologous chromosomes, leading to genetic diversity in the resulting gametes.
Further along, in metaphase I, the homologous pairs of chromosomes align along the metaphase plate in the center of the cell. This random arrangement is what leads to the independent assortment of chromosomes, contributing to the genetic variation in offspring. When anaphase I commences, those paired chromosomes are then pulled apart as the spindle fibers shorten, and they move toward opposite poles of the cell. This eventually leads to the formation of two haploid daughter cells, each with one set of chromosomes, at the end of the first meiotic division.
In subsequent phases, such as meiosis II, the sister chromatids of each chromosome will then separate. The end result of meiosis after telophase II and cytokinesis is the production of four unique haploid cells. These cells contain a haploid set of chromosomes, which means they have one chromosome from each of the original homologous pairs. Each of the haploid cells is genetically distinct due to both the random distribution of the chromosomes and the earlier process of crossing over.