Which statements describe differences between metaphase I and metaphase II? Select two options.

Question

Chromosomes line up in the middle in metaphase I only.
Chromosomes condense in metaphase I only.
A cell has half the number of chromosomes in metaphase II.
There are twice the number of cells in metaphase II.
Spindle fibers exist in metaphase II only.

Answer 1

The two statements that describe differences between metaphase I and metaphase II are:

1. A cell has half the number of chromosomes in metaphase II. - In metaphase II, the cells are haploid (having half the number of chromosomes compared to the diploid cells present in metaphase I).

2. There are twice the number of cells in metaphase II. - By the time cells reach metaphase II, meiosis has already divided the original diploid cell into two haploid cells, so there are twice as many cells in metaphase II compared to metaphase I.

The other options are not accurate distinctions between metaphase I and metaphase II.