Answer :
1. Meiosis is called reduction division because:
C. the daughter cell contains ½ of the number of chromosomes compared to the parent cell. This reduction in chromosome number is essential for sexual reproduction, as it ensures the proper chromosome count is maintained in the offspring.
2. Differences between meiosis and mitosis:
B. Meiosis occurs in the reproductive (sex) cells, while mitosis occurs in somatic cells. Additionally, meiosis results in the production of four daughter cells with half the chromosome number, while mitosis produces two identical daughter cells.
3. After meiosis in an elephant with 56 chromosomes, each daughter cell produced will have:
D. half the chromosome number of the parent cell. Therefore, each daughter cell will have 28 chromosomes.
4. Crossing-over in meiosis involves the exchange of genetic materials between:
D. non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. This process enhances genetic diversity by creating new combinations of genes on the chromosomes.
5. A true statement about meiosis is:
D. It allows organisms to promote genetic variation. Meiosis generates genetic diversity through processes like crossing-over and independent assortment, contributing to evolutionary adaptation.
6. Synapsis and crossing-over occur in which stage of meiosis:
B. Interphase I. These events take place during the prophase I stage of meiosis, where homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material.
7. The number of cells produced after meiosis is:
C. four. Meiosis results in four daughter cells, each with a haploid number of chromosomes, which are essential for sexual reproduction.
8. If a body cell has 16 chromosomes, the number of chromosomes in an egg cell produced by this organism would be:
A. 4. In meiosis, the chromosome number is halved, so an egg cell would have half the number of chromosomes compared to the body cell.
9. Metaphase I is characterized by:
D. Homologous chromosomes align at the middle or equatorial plate of the cell. During this phase, homologous chromosomes line up next to each other in pairs along the cell's equator.
10. Cells that undergo meiosis include:
D. sperm cells. Meiosis is essential for the production of gametes (sex cells) like sperm and eggs, as it ensures genetic diversity in offspring through recombination and reduction division.