Which of the following is a key difference between meiosis and mitosis?

• A. Meiosis produces diploid cells.
• B. Meiosis results in four genetically identical cells.
• C. Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division.
• D. Meiosis occurs in somatic cells.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of meiosis and mitosis: Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from the parent cell. Mitosis, on the other hand, is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical diploid cells.
2. Identify the number of cell divisions: Meiosis consists of two rounds of cell division, known as meiosis I and meiosis II, whereas mitosis involves only one round of cell division.
3. Consider the genetic outcome: Meiosis results in four genetically diverse haploid cells, while mitosis results in two genetically identical diploid cells.
4. Determine the type of cells involved: Meiosis occurs in germ cells to produce gametes (sperm and eggs), while mitosis occurs in somatic cells for growth and repair.
5. Review the options given: The key difference between meiosis and mitosis is that meiosis involves two rounds of cell division, which is not the case for mitosis.