The number of chromosomes is reduced to half during
A) anaphase of mitosis and meiosis.
B) meiosis II.
C) meiosis I.
D) fertilization.
E) interphase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of chromosomes is reduced to half during meiosis I, specifically during the process of homologous chromosome separation, where they separate to opposite poles of the cell. This results in haploid gametes with half the number of chromosomes as the original diploid cell. Anaphase of mitosis and meiosis and meiosis II do not reduce the number of chromosomes, they only separate sister chromatids. Fertilization restores the diploid number of chromosomes, but does not reduce it. Interphase is a period of growth and DNA replication, not cell division.

The Number of Chromosomes Is Reduced to Half During