The parent cell that enters meiosis is diploid, whereas the four daughter cells that result are haploid.

Question

Which statement correctly describes how cellular DNA content and ploidy levels change during meiosis I and meiosis II?
View Available Hint(s)for Part C

DNA content is halved only in meiosis II. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.
DNA content is halved only in meiosis I. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.
DNA content is halved only in meiosis I. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only in meiosis II.
DNA content is halved in both meiosis I and meiosis II. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only in meiosis II.
DNA content is halved in both meiosis I and meiosis II. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

DNA content is halved only in meiosis I. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.

Here's a brief explanation:

• Meiosis I: The diploid parent cell (2n) undergoes homologous chromosome separation, resulting in two haploid cells (n). This is when the ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid, and the DNA content is halved because each daughter cell receives only one chromosome from each homologous pair.

• Meiosis II: The two haploid cells (each with n) undergo a second division similar to mitosis, where sister chromatids are separated. However, the ploidy level remains haploid, and although the DNA content is divided, it does not halve the ploidy level further.

Thus, the overall result is four haploid daughter cells, with the halving of DNA content occurring only in meiosis I.