NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -There are now two cells, and each cell contains half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In addition, the two daughter cells are not genetically identical to each other because of the recombination that occurred during prophase I (Figure 4).

Detailed explanation-2: -In recombination, the pairs of chromosomes line up and recombine, so that each chromosome has a piece of another in it. In this way, genetic diversity is ensured. Thus, meiosis uses recombination to produce four haploid daughter cells which are not identical to their diploid parent cell or each other.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells, each containing a complete copy of the parent cell’s DNA. Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical daughter cells, which increases genetic variation among gametes (and, therefore, genetic diversity in the population).

Detailed explanation-4: -If the cell did not duplicate its DNA (something that happens during meiosis to produce gametes), then each daughter cell would only receive one copy of each chromosome. Instead of having 23 pairs, the cells would each have 23 chromosomes (in other words, each cell would be haploid).

Detailed explanation-5: -During mitosis, a cell duplicates all of its contents, including its chromosomes, and splits to form two identical daughter cells. Because this process is so critical, the steps of mitosis are carefully controlled by certain genes.