During Anaphase I, what is the main action taking place?

During Anaphase I of meiosis, the main action taking place is the movement of homologous chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell. This phase follows the alignment of homologous pairs at the metaphase plate during Metaphase I. The separation occurs as the spindle fibers shorten, pulling each homologous chromosome (consisting of two sister chromatids) apart toward opposite sides of the cell.

This process is critical because it reduces the chromosome number by half, creating haploid cells. The separation of homologous chromosomes is a key feature that distinguishes meiosis from mitosis, where sister chromatids are separated instead.

The other processes reflected in the choices do not occur during Anaphase I. Pairing of chromosomes and chromosome condensation occur earlier, specifically during Prophase I. Cytokinesis, or the division of the cytoplasm to form new cells, happens later in the cell division process, typically after Telophase II in meiosis. Finally, the alignment of sister chromatids at the center of the cell is characteristic of Metaphase II, not Anaphase I.