what is the significance of meiosis in the life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms?

Question

a it produces genetically identical daughter cells
b it ensures genetic diversity among offspring
c it only occurs in somatic cells
d it maintains the diploid chromosome number

Answer 1

The correct answer is b) it ensures genetic diversity among offspring.

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of gametes (sperm and eggs) in sexually reproducing organisms. This process not only creates haploid cells that can combine during fertilization to restore the diploid number but also introduces genetic diversity through mechanisms such as independent assortment and crossing over.

Options a), c), and d) are incorrect as follows:

• a) Meiosis produces genetically diverse daughter cells, not genetically identical ones (this occurs in mitosis).
• c) Meiosis occurs in germ cells, not somatic cells.
• d) Meiosis reduces the chromosome number to maintain the diploid chromosome number in the zygote after fertilization, rather than maintaining it during the meiotic process itself.