Which statement describes meiosis?

• A. Produces two diploid identical cells
• B. Produces identical haploid cells
• C. Does not change chromosome number
• D. Produces four haploid cells that are genetically different

Answer: (D)

Meiosis is the cell division that reduces chromosome number and creates genetic diversity. It involves two rounds of division, preceded by DNA replication, producing four haploid cells from one diploid parent. In the first division, homologous chromosomes pair and separate; in the second division, the sister chromatids separate. The key features that generate genetic diversity are crossing over during prophase I and independent assortment of chromosomes, which shuffle maternal and paternal genetic material into different gametes. Because of these processes, the four resulting haploid cells are not identical to each other or to the parent. That makes the statement describing meiosis as producing four haploid cells that are genetically different the best description. By contrast, producing two diploid identical cells is characteristic of mitosis, not meiosis; haploid cells from meiosis are not identical due to crossing over; and meiosis does change the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.