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Multiple Choice
What is the significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction?
A
It produces identical daughter cells for growth and repair.
B
It reduces the chromosome number by half, creating haploid gametes.
C
It allows for asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
D
It doubles the chromosome number, ensuring genetic diversity.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of haploid gametes (sperm and eggs).
Recognize that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, each with its own stages (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase).
During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material through a process called crossing over, which increases genetic diversity.
In meiosis II, the sister chromatids are separated, similar to mitosis, resulting in four genetically distinct haploid cells.
The significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction is that it ensures genetic diversity through recombination and independent assortment, and it maintains the stability of the species' chromosome number across generations by producing haploid gametes.