How can a human cell in prophase of mitosis be distinguished from human cell in prophase l of meiosis? A. By the presence of kinetochores in the mitotic cell. B. By the presence of a spindle in the mitotic cell. C. By the presence of twice as many chromosomes in the meiotic cellD. By the presence of half as many chromosomes in the meiotic cell. E. By the presence of paired homologous chromosomes in the meiotic cell.

E. By presence of paired homologous chromosomes in the meiotic cell.

Explanation:

Differences between Mitotic Prophase and Prophase 1 of Meiosis:

The prophase of mitosis is relatively shorter than prophase 1 of meiosis. Prophase of mitosis is characterized by the disintegration of the nuclear membrane and the movement of the duplicated centrioles towards the two poles of the cell. Prophase 1 of meiosis is relatively longer and involves a number of consecutive events that do not occur in the mitotic prophase. Prophase 1 of meiosis involves the disintegration of the nuclear membrane as well. But the most important event of this phase is the pairing of homologous chromosomes through a connection called a synapse. This is called chiasmata formation. Homologous chromosomes pair up in form of tetrads and exchange segments with each other. This process is called crossing over and it is crucial in the production of genetically varied daughter cells.