What is pachytene

1.	What is pachytene
Answer» \tPachytene is the third stage of meiosis prophase-1 (a five-stage process). It is preceded by the zygotene stage, where synapsis, i.e. pairing of homologous chromosomes take place.\tIn pachytene, exchange of genetic material between two homologous chromosomes known as\xa0crossing over\xa0takes place between non-sister chromatids of the homologous chromosomes.\t\tRecombination\xa0or\xa0crossing over\xa0takes place at this stage. In this process, there is an exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. There is rearrangement and reshuffling of the genetic material of two parental homologous chromosomes. It is an enzyme-mediated process. The enzyme involved in crossing over is known as\xa0recombinase.\tRecombination nodules appear and homologous chromosomes are linked to each other at the site of crossing over.\tRecombination is accompanied by the formation of chiasmata, which appear in the next stage called diplotene.\t

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