CELL DIVISION
CELL DIVISION AND CANCEROUS CELLS
|
Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
|
|
|
It allows the zygote formed from fertilization to have triple the chromosome number of the organism.
|
|
|
It allows gametes to have twice the original number of chromosomes of the organism.
|
|
|
It allows gametes to have half the original number of chromosomes of the organism.
|
|
|
It allows the zygote formed from fertilization to have half the original number of chromosomes of the organism.
|
Detailed explanation-1: -Because meiosis creates cells that are destined to become gametes (or reproductive cells), this reduction in chromosome number is critical-without it, the union of two gametes during fertilization would result in offspring with twice the normal number of chromosomes!
Detailed explanation-2: -As gametes are produced, the number of chromosomes must be reduced by half. Why? The zygote must contain genetic information from the mother and from the father, so the gametes must contain half of the chromosomes found in normal body cells.
Detailed explanation-3: -Meiosis is important for three main reasons: it allows sexual reproduction of diploid organisms, it enables genetic diversity, and it aids the repair of genetic defects.
Detailed explanation-4: -It is important that gametes have half the amount of DNA (haploid) so that at fertilisation when the egg and sperm combine it results in a cell with a full complement of DNA. Errors can occur during meiosis producing gametes with an extra or missing chromosome.
Detailed explanation-5: -Meiosis produces cells with half the chromosomes to maintain genetic integrity in the offspring. During sexual reproduction a sperm and egg combine to make a new cell called a zygote. During this process of fertilization the genomes of the sperm and egg fuse.