Question

Which of the following could result if meiosis did not occur in the process of sexual reproduction?

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Chromosome number would increase with each generation.

Select {responseValue}
Chromosomes would no longer contain genetic information.

Select {responseValue}
Chromosome number would decrease with each generation.

Select {responseValue}
Chromosomes would not be copied exactly.

Answer 1

- Chromosome number would increase with each generation. — Correct. Without meiosis halving chromosome number in gametes, fusion of gametes would double the chromosome number each generation.

- Chromosomes would no longer contain genetic information. — Incorrect. Chromosomes would still carry genetic information.

- Chromosome number would decrease with each generation. — Incorrect. The opposite would occur.

- Chromosomes would not be copied exactly. — Incorrect. Absence of meiosis would remove meiotic recombination, so chromosomes would actually be copied more exactly (aside from normal replication errors), not less.