Question 1

Which of the following best describes the ploidy of human gametes produced by meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Haploid (n)

Question 2

A karyotype of a human cell shows 46 chromosomes. How many of these are autosomes?

Accepted Answer

44

Question 3

During which phase of meiosis does crossing over occur, and what is the significance of this event?

Accepted Answer

Prophase I; it increases genetic variation

Question 4

If a diploid cell with $$2n = 6$$ undergoes meiosis, how many chromosomes will each resulting gamete contain?

Accepted Answer

$$3$$

Question 5

Which of the following events is unique to meiosis and does NOT occur in mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Formation of chiasmata between homologous chromosomes

Question 6

A cell with 46 chromosomes undergoes nondisjunction during meiosis. What is a possible outcome for the chromosome number in the resulting gametes?

Accepted Answer

Some gametes will have 24 chromosomes, others will have 22

Question 7

Which process restores the diploid chromosome number in sexually reproducing organisms?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization

Question 8

What is the main source of genetic variation in prokaryotes, given they do not undergo meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the relationship between homologous chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

They carry genes controlling the same inherited characters

Question 10

During meiosis I, what is separated?

Accepted Answer

Homologous chromosomes

Question 11

Which equation correctly represents the chromosome number after meiosis in humans?

Accepted Answer

$$n = 23$$

Question 12

Which term describes the physical site where crossing over occurs between nonsister chromatids?

Accepted Answer

Chiasma

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of meiotic errors such as nondisjunction?

Accepted Answer

Formation of gametes with the correct chromosome number

Question 14

Which event during meiosis is responsible for independent assortment of genes?

Accepted Answer

Random alignment of homologous chromosomes during metaphase I

Question 15

A cell in metaphase I of meiosis contains $$2n = 4$$ chromosomes. How many possible combinations of chromosomes can result from independent assortment?

Accepted Answer

$$2^n = 2^2$ = 4$$

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

It reduces chromosome number by half, preventing chromosome doubling in each generation

Question 17

Which process occurs in germ cells but not in somatic cells?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct result of recombination at synapsis during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Genetic variation among offspring

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Separation of sister chromatids

Question 20

Which equation represents the number of chromatids present in a human cell after S phase but before meiosis begins?

Accepted Answer

$$92$$

Meiosis: Mechanisms, Chromosomal Behavior, and Genetic Variation

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