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

A. DNA content is halved only in meiosis II. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.
B. DNA content is halved only in meiosis I. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid in meiosis I, and remains haploid in meiosis II.
C. DNA content is halved only in meiosis I. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only in meiosis II.
D. DNA content is halved in both meiosis I and meiosis II. Ploidy level changes from diploid to haploid only in meiosis II.
E. 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:

B. 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 breakdown:

• Meiosis I is the reductional division where homologous chromosomes are separated, resulting in two haploid cells, but each cell still has duplicated DNA (sister chromatids).
• DNA content is halved when homologous chromosomes are separated in meiosis I.
• In meiosis II, the sister chromatids are separated, but the ploidy level remains haploid since the cells are already haploid after meiosis I. The DNA content is not halved in meiosis II; rather, it goes from duplicated (sister chromatids) to single copies.