Meiosis is a cell division that results in what?

• A. Four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent
• B. Two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes
• C. One daughter cell with doubled chromosomes
• D. All daughter cells identical to the parent

Answer: (A)

Meiosis reduces the chromosome number and creates genetic diversity by using two rounds of division after DNA replication. In the first division, homologous chromosomes are separated, halving the chromosome number, and in the second division, sister chromatids are separated, producing four haploid daughter cells. Because of crossing over and independent assortment, these cells are genetically different from each other and from the parent. So the result is four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent. This contrasts with mitosis, which typically yields two identical diploid cells.