The stage of cell division in which paired homologous chromosomes get shortened and thickened is prophase I of meiosis. During this stage, the chromosomes condense and become visible as distinct structures, allowing for the homologous chromosomes to pair up and exchange genetic material through a process called crossing over. The shortening and thickening of the chromosomes during prophase I is important for proper alignment and separation of the homologous chromosomes during subsequent...

It is theoretically possible for a substance to have a negative value of cubical expansivity, which means that the substance would contract rather than expand when the temperature increases. However, it is very rare for a substance to have a negative value of cubical expansivity over a significant range of temperatures.

One example of a substance that has a negative value of cubical expansivity over a limited range of temperatures is water. Water has a positive value of cubical expansivity at...