In sexually reproducing eukaryotes, the process of meiosis produces which of the following outcomes?

• A. Two genetically identical diploid daughter cells used for growth and tissue repair
• B. Four genetically identical diploid daughter cells with the same chromosome number as the original cell
• C. Four genetically distinct haploid cells (gametes) with half the chromosome number of the original diploid cell
• D. Two genetically distinct haploid cells produced by a single round of cell division without homologous chromosome pairing

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of meiosis in sexually reproducing eukaryotes: it is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half to produce gametes (sperm and egg cells).
2. Recall that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II, which together result in four daughter cells.
3. Recognize that during meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and then separate, reducing the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n).
4. Note that meiosis II resembles mitosis, where sister chromatids separate, resulting in four genetically distinct haploid cells.
5. Conclude that the outcome of meiosis is four genetically distinct haploid cells (gametes), each with half the chromosome number of the original diploid cell.