Question

Find out at which stage of karyokinesis the chromosome exhibits a high level of coiling?
A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
C. Telophase
D. Interphase

Answer 1

Hint: Karyokinesis is the process in which the nucleus divides into two equal halves during the cell division be it mitotic or meiotic type of cell division.

Complete answer:1. At the prophase stage, the chromosome gets condensed, that is chromosomes are intermingled and in the accumulated form and can show the homologous pairing at the time of the meiotic type of cell division.

2. In the metaphase stage, the duplicated genomic material is arranged at the equatorial plate with the help of spindle fibers. It is the stage at which the chromosome gets highly condensed and the chromatin material rearranges to form the individual chromosome which is duplicated in the S-phase and divided during the time of nuclear division.
Therefore, the chromosome exhibits the highest level of coiling at the Metaphase stage.
3. In the telophase stage, the chromatids will move towards the pole and the chromosome starts getting decondensed.
4. Interphase is also called a gap phase and during this phase, the cell prepares for the cellular division. Here, the chromosome number remains constant and it is only the genomic material that gets doubled.

Therefore, the correct option is B. Metaphase.

Note: The analytical study of metaphase chromosomes is one of the main tools of classical cytogenetics and cancer studies. Chromosomes show condensation (thickened) and highly coiled in metaphase, which makes them most suitable for visual analysis.