Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Meiosis
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse daughter cells. It consists of two sequential divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, while meiosis II resembles mitosis, where sister chromatids are separated. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, producing gametes with half the diploid number of chromosomes.
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Chromosome Number
In diploid organisms, chromosomes exist in pairs, with one set inherited from each parent. Norway rats have 42 chromosomes in their diploid cells, meaning they have 21 pairs. During meiosis, the diploid number is halved, resulting in haploid gametes that contain only one chromosome from each pair. Thus, after meiosis, each daughter cell will have 21 chromosomes.
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Double-Helical DNA Molecules
Each chromosome consists of a single double-helical DNA molecule. During the S phase of the cell cycle, before meiosis begins, each chromosome is replicated, resulting in two sister chromatids per chromosome. However, during meiosis II, the sister chromatids are separated, leading to each daughter cell containing one double-helical DNA molecule per chromosome. Therefore, at the end of meiosis II, each daughter cell will have 21 double-helical DNA molecules.
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