1. The diagram below INCORRECTLY shows the number of chromosomes for the individuals and the cells they produce by meiosis. Which statement below explains the problem with the picture?

A. Meiosis produces haploid gametes, so the chromosome number shown for the egg cell and sperm cell should be half the number of chromosomes as in the parents’ cells.

B. Meiosis produces diploid gametes, so the chromosome number shown for the zygote should be 23.

2. Jane told her classmate Desiree that she thinks that the steps in Meiosis II look just like mitosis. You agree with Jane because…

A.) The sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated in anaphase II (just as they are in anaphase of mitosis), so each daughter cell gets one copy of each chromosome.

B.) The chromosomes line up at the equator during metaphase II as single chromosomes, just like they do in mitosis.

C.) You agree with both reasons given in A and B.

Meiosis is a kind of cell differentiation, which leads to the formation of four daughter cells each comprising half the number of chromosomes of the parent cells, as in the generation of gametes and plant spores.

Thus, for the first question, statement A illustrates the issue with the picture. As meiosis produces haploid gametes, so the chromosome number is shown for the egg cell and sperm cell should be half the number of chromosomes as in the parents’ cells.

For question 2, the correct statement is option C, that is, both statement A and B are correct. The sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated in anaphase II (just as they are in anaphase of mitosis), so each daughter cell gets one copy of each chromosome. The chromosomes line up at the equator during metaphase II as single chromosomes, just like they do in mitosis.