Question

Assertion (A): Prophase is the first stage of mitosis which follows S and G₁ phases of interphase.

Reason (R): Prophase is marked by the initiation of clusters of chromosomes.

Options

• Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

• Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

• A is true but R is false.

• A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

A is false but R is true.

Explanation:

The assertion is false because prophase follows the G₂ phase of interphase, not the G₁ phase (the correct order of interphase is G₁ → S → G₂). The reason is true because the onset of prophase is explicitly marked by the condensation of chromatin threads, which initiate the visible clustering and grouping of distinct chromosomal material.