Question

1. Which statement best describes meiosis?
A. It produces cells identical to the parent cells.
B. It produces gametes (eggs and sperm).
C. It is carried out in all tissues.
D. It is the first stage of mitosis.
Correct Answer: ____________
Comprehension Questions
2. What is the main purpose of meiosis?
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3. How is meiosis different from mitosis?
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4. Where does meiosis occur in the body?
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5. Why is genetic variation important for living organisms?
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Vocabulary Practice
Match each term to its correct definition.
Term Definition
___ Gamete A. Process that produces eggs and sperm
___ Chromosomes B. Cells used for reproduction
___ Meiosis C. Structures that carry genetic information
Short Answer
6. Explain why meiosis must reduce the number of chromosomes by half.
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Answer 1

1. Which statement best describes meiosis?
A. It produces cells identical to the parent cells.
B. It produces gametes (eggs and sperm).
C. It is carried out in all tissues.
D. It is the first stage of mitosis.
Correct Answer: B

Comprehension Questions
2. What is the main purpose of meiosis?
To produce haploid gametes (sperm and eggs) so that when fertilization occurs the diploid chromosome number is restored, and to generate genetic variation among offspring.

3. How is meiosis different from mitosis?
- Meiosis has two successive divisions (meiosis I and II) and produces four genetically different haploid cells.
- Mitosis has one division and produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.
- Meiosis includes pairing of homologous chromosomes and crossing over (recombination); mitosis does not.

4. Where does meiosis occur in the body?
In the gonads: testes (spermatogenesis) and ovaries (oogenesis), in specialized germ-line cells.

5. Why is genetic variation important for living organisms?
Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection, helping populations adapt to changing environments, resist diseases, reduce the chance that a single threat will wipe out all individuals, and promote long-term survival and evolution.

Vocabulary Practice
Match each term to its correct definition.
___ Gamete B. Cells used for reproduction
___ Chromosomes C. Structures that carry genetic information
___ Meiosis A. Process that produces eggs and sperm

Short Answer
6. Explain why meiosis must reduce the number of chromosomes by half.
Meiosis halves the chromosome number so that when two gametes fuse at fertilization the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number. Without this reduction, chromosome number would double each generation. The halving also allows recombination and independent assortment to create genetically diverse offspring.