In a diploid organism, how many copies of each chromosome are present in the parent cell prior to undergoing meiosis?

• A. Two copies
• B. One copy
• C. Three copies
• D. Four copies

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a diploid organism has two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
2. Recall that in diploid organisms, each chromosome is present in pairs, known as homologous chromosomes.
3. Before meiosis begins, the parent cell is in the interphase stage, where DNA replication occurs.
4. During interphase, each chromosome is replicated, resulting in two identical sister chromatids for each chromosome.
5. Thus, prior to meiosis, the parent cell contains two copies of each chromosome, one from each homologous pair.