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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is one of the significant results of meiosis?
A
Formation of identical daughter cells
B
Replication of DNA without cell division
C
Doubling of chromosome number
D
Production of haploid gametes
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the purpose of meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells). This is essential for sexual reproduction.
Step 2: Compare meiosis to mitosis. Unlike mitosis, which produces identical daughter cells, meiosis involves two rounds of division (meiosis I and meiosis II) and leads to genetic variation through processes like crossing over and independent assortment.
Step 3: Analyze the options provided. Formation of identical daughter cells is characteristic of mitosis, not meiosis. Replication of DNA without cell division does not occur in meiosis; DNA replication happens before meiosis begins during the S phase of the cell cycle. Doubling of chromosome number is incorrect because meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half.
Step 4: Focus on the correct answer. The production of haploid gametes is the key result of meiosis. Haploid cells contain half the chromosome number of the parent cell, ensuring that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid chromosome number.
Step 5: Summarize the significance. Meiosis is crucial for maintaining genetic stability across generations and introducing genetic diversity through recombination and independent assortment.