At the end of meiosis,the number of chromosomes in each daughter cell is halved because meiosis has
A) two cell divisions and no DNA replication.
B) two cell divisions, but one DNA replication.
C) one cell division and two DNA replications.
D) one cell division and one DNA replication.
E) different DNA replication rates for different parts of the genome.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division (meiosis I and meiosis II), but only one round of DNA replication that occurs during interphase prior to meiosis I. Therefore, the number of chromosomes in each daughter cell is halved because the homologous chromosomes separate during meiosis I and the sister chromatids separate during meiosis II, resulting in four haploid daughter cells. Thus, choice B is the correct option.

At the End of Meiosis,the Number of Chromosomes in Each