Meiosis is one step of the process of sexual reproduction. How does the genetic information transferred during meiosis differ from that transferred by mitosis?

Question

The resulting cells after meiosis are identical to the mother cell, but cells formed by mitosis are not.
Cells produced by meiosis do not have a nucleus, but cells produced by mitosis do have a nucleus.
Each cell produced by meiosis has one-half the genetic information of the original cells, while cells produced by mitosis have all the information.
Cells formed by mitosis have chromosomes, but cells produced by meiosis do not have chromosomes until they combine with other haploid cells.

Answer 1

The correct statement regarding the differences in genetic information transferred during meiosis compared to mitosis is:

Each cell produced by meiosis has one-half the genetic information of the original cells, while cells produced by mitosis have all the information.

To elaborate:

1. Meiosis is a process that results in four haploid cells, each with half the original diploid chromosome number. This is essential for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when two gametes (sperm and egg) fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes.

2. Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two diploid daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original mother cell, maintaining the same chromosome number.

So, the main distinction lies in the chromosome number and genetic diversity: meiosis produces gametes with half the genetic material, while mitosis produces identical cells with the full complement of genetic material.