In meiosis, how many times does a single diploid cell divide to produce haploid cells?

• A. Three times
• B. Four times
• C. Once
• D. Twice

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that meiosis is a special type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid cells from a diploid cell.
2. Understand that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.
3. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.
4. In meiosis II, the sister chromatids are separated, similar to mitosis, but the chromosome number remains haploid.
5. Therefore, a single diploid cell divides twice during meiosis to produce haploid cells.