Question 1

Which of the following best explains why offspring produced by sexual reproduction are genetically unique compared to their parents?

Accepted Answer

Because meiosis introduces genetic variation through independent assortment, crossing over, and random fertilization.

Question 2

In humans, how many possible chromosome combinations can result from independent assortment during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

$$2^{23}$$

Question 3

Which stage of meiosis is primarily responsible for the genetic variation known as crossing over?

Accepted Answer

Prophase I

Question 4

A diploid cell in a human undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each resulting gamete contain?

Accepted Answer

23

Question 5

Which of the following events occurs in Anaphase I of meiosis but NOT in Anaphase of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Homologous chromosomes are separated.

Question 6

Which life cycle includes both a multicellular haploid and a multicellular diploid stage?

Accepted Answer

Plants and some algae

Question 7

If a mutation occurs in the cohesin proteins during meiosis, which process would most likely be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

The separation of homologous chromosomes in Anaphase I and sister chromatids in Anaphase II

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes in humans?

Accepted Answer

Autosomes are the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes, while sex chromosomes are the X and Y chromosomes that determine sex.

Question 9

A strawberry plant sends out runners that develop into new, genetically identical plants. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Asexual reproduction

Question 10

Which of the following equations correctly represents the chromosome number in a human zygote?

Accepted Answer

$$n + n = 2n$$

Question 11

During which stage of meiosis do homologous chromosomes pair up and form tetrads?

Accepted Answer

Prophase I

Question 12

Which process is responsible for reducing the chromosome number by half in gamete formation?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Question 13

If a human egg (n=23) is fertilized by a sperm (n=23), what will be the chromosome number in the resulting zygote?

Accepted Answer

46

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Replication of DNA during interphase

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the outcome of meiosis II?

Accepted Answer

Four haploid cells, each genetically unique

Question 16

A geneticist observes a cell with chromosomes aligned in pairs at the metaphase plate. Which stage is this cell most likely in?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase I of meiosis

Question 17

Which of the following statements about homologous chromosomes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They carry genes for the same traits but may have different alleles.

Question 18

Which process restores the diploid number of chromosomes in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization

Question 19

In which type of organism is the only diploid stage a unicellular zygote, with the rest of the life cycle being haploid?

Accepted Answer

Most fungi and some protists

Question 20

Which of the following is a unique event that occurs in meiosis but not in mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Synapsis and crossing over

Chapter 13: Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions