Which statement accurately describes the cells at the end of Meiosis I?

• A. The cells are diploid and genetically diverse from each other.
• B. The cells are diploid and genetically identical to the parent cell.
• C. The cells are haploid and genetically identical to each other.
• D. The cells are haploid and genetically diverse from each other.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid cells from an original diploid cell.
2. Recall that meiosis consists of two stages: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. Meiosis I is the reductional division where homologous chromosomes are separated.
3. At the end of Meiosis I, each daughter cell contains half the number of chromosomes, making them haploid. This is because homologous pairs are separated, not sister chromatids.
4. During Meiosis I, genetic recombination occurs through crossing over in prophase I, leading to genetic diversity among the resulting cells.
5. Therefore, the cells at the end of Meiosis I are haploid and genetically diverse from each other due to the exchange of genetic material during crossing over.