Synapsis in Mitosis? Bio Pack Vol. 1 Q41

Question

Just wanted clarification on this question: https://i.redd.it/h4fp5uu0wcj21.png I chose B just because I was the most sure about it, but then I realized that I wasn't entirely sure if synapsis occurred in mitosis. By synapsis, are they referring to homologous chromosomes coming together to perform crossing over? If so, then synapsis should NOT be a part of mitosis, and only a part of meiosis I, am I wrong? ​ I guess a better question is what do they mean by "synapsis"? I'm googling but keep finding different definitions. ​ Thank you!

Answer 1

It sounds like your understanding is correct; synapsis does NOT occur in mitosis, but DOES occur in prophase I of meiosis; thus, answer choice A is the exact opposite of what the question is asking for (what DOES occur in mitosis but does NOT in meiosis I).

Answer choice B is correct because the splitting of centromeres in meiosis doesn't occur until anaphase II.

On questions like this it's often handy to rephrase the question in terms of a True/False statement to help keep things straight - for example, here you want something True of mitosis but false for meiosis/prophase I. Hope that helps!