What process results in the formation of haploid cells?

What process results in the formation of haploid cells?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Meiosis
• C. Fertilization
• D. Binary Fission

Answer: (B)

The formation of haploid cells occurs through the process of meiosis, which is a specialized type of cell division that leads to the production of gametes—sperm and eggs in animals. During meiosis, a diploid cell (which contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent) undergoes two rounds of division. In the first division, homologous chromosomes are separated into different cells, which reduces the chromosome number by half. This first division is called meiosis I. Following that, meiosis II separates the sister chromatids, resulting in four genetically distinct haploid cells from one original diploid cell. Each of these haploid cells retains only one set of chromosomes, which is critical for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will have the correct diploid number of chromosomes. This process is essential for maintaining the chromosome number across generations and supports genetic diversity, as the independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing-over during meiosis create new combinations of genes.

The formation of haploid cells occurs through the process of meiosis, which is a specialized type of cell division that leads to the production of gametes—sperm and eggs in animals. During meiosis, a diploid cell (which contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent) undergoes two rounds of division.

In the first division, homologous chromosomes are separated into different cells, which reduces the chromosome number by half. This first division is called meiosis I. Following that, meiosis II separates the sister chromatids, resulting in four genetically distinct haploid cells from one original diploid cell. Each of these haploid cells retains only one set of chromosomes, which is critical for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will have the correct diploid number of chromosomes.

This process is essential for maintaining the chromosome number across generations and supports genetic diversity, as the independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing-over during meiosis create new combinations of genes.