Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction leads to greater genetic variation than asexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents, allowing for independent assortment, crossing over, and random fertilization.

Question 2

A strawberry plant has a diploid number of 14. How many chromosomes are present in each gamete produced by meiosis?

Accepted Answer

$$7$$

Question 3

Which of the following events occurs during Prophase I of meiosis but not during mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Homologous chromosomes pair up and crossing over occurs.

Question 4

If a cell with a diploid number of $$2n = 36$$ undergoes meiosis, how many chromosomes will each resulting gamete contain?

Accepted Answer

$$18$$

Question 5

Which process is responsible for the separation of homologous chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Anaphase I of meiosis

Question 6

Which of the following statements about homologous chromosomes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They carry the same genes but may have different alleles.

Question 7

During which phase of meiosis do sister chromatids finally separate?

Accepted Answer

Anaphase II

Question 8

Which mechanism does NOT contribute to genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Replication of DNA during S phase

Question 9

A human somatic cell contains 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are present in a human gamete?

Accepted Answer

$$23$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the outcome of meiosis II?

Accepted Answer

Four haploid cells, each with unduplicated chromosomes

Question 11

Which of the following is a direct result of crossing over during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Production of recombinant chromosomes

Question 12

If a mutation occurs during DNA replication before meiosis, which cells are most likely to inherit the mutation?

Accepted Answer

All gametes produced from that germ cell

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the alternation of fertilization and meiosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization restores the diploid number, while meiosis reduces it to haploid.

Question 14

Which of the following is unique to meiosis and does NOT occur in mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Synapsis and crossing over

Question 15

A cell contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. Which term best describes this cell?

Accepted Answer

Diploid

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction is advantageous in changing environments?

Accepted Answer

It increases genetic variation, allowing populations to adapt to new challenges.

Question 17

How many different combinations of chromosomes are possible in human gametes due to independent assortment alone?

Accepted Answer

$$2^{23} = 8$$,388,608$$

Question 18

Which of the following statements about sister chromatids is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They are identical copies of a chromosome formed by DNA replication.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Replication of chromosomes during mitosis

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the chromosome content of a zygote?

Accepted Answer

Diploid, with two sets of chromosomes

Meiosis and the Sexual Life Cycle: Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions