Australian Year 10 Biology Practice Test

During meiosis, a specialized form of cell division occurs that results in the production of gametes, which are the reproductive cells involved in sexual reproduction. This process is essential for generating genetic diversity through the production of haploid cells—sperm in males and eggs in females, each containing half the number of chromosomes of the original cell.

Meiosis involves two key phases: meiosis I and meiosis II, each comprising several stages. Meiosis I is where homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to a reduction in chromosome number, while meiosis II resembles mitosis, where sister chromatids are separated. The overall outcome is the formation of four non-identical daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell, thereby facilitating genetic variation in the offspring.

In contrast, the other options describe different biological processes. For instance, the first choice pertains to mitosis, which is responsible for producing somatic (body) cells and results in two genetically identical daughter cells. The second choice also describes mitosis since it emphasizes the production of identical cells. The last option related to apoptosis refers to programmed cell death, a separate process crucial for maintaining homeostasis and development. Therefore, the correct understanding emphasizes the role of meiosis in generating genetic diversity