Question

Meiosis is one of the two cell division processes observed to occur in cells. Which statement from below correctly describes the outcome of a successful meiotic division?

• A. Four daughter cells are produced. Each resulting daughter cell has the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
• B. Two daughter cells are produced. Each resulting daughter cell has the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
• C. Four daughter cells are produced. Each resulting daughter cell has one-half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
• D. Two daughter cells are produced. Each resulting daughter cell has one-half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Meiotic division is a type of cell division where two cell division occurs with only one round of DNA duplication process. The eventual new cells that are formed have half the genetic content of the participating cells. If a participating cell has $20$ chromosome, its eventual daughter cell will have 10 chromosome. Thus, the statement of each daughter cell having one-half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell is the correct one.
Mitosis is another type of cell division process where the DNA duplication occurs once and the cell also divides one time. The resulting daughter cells formed have the same amount of genetic content as the parent cell.