In a typical meiotic division of one diploid cell to produce four haploid cells, how many times does cytokinesis occur during meiosis?

• A. Four times, once for each haploid cell produced
• B. Three times, after prophase I, after meiosis I, and after meiosis II
• C. Once, only after meiosis II
• D. Twice, once after meiosis I and once after meiosis II

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that meiosis consists of two sequential divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, each followed by cytokinesis.
2. Recall that cytokinesis is the process where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in separate daughter cells after nuclear division.
3. Recognize that after meiosis I, the cell divides once, producing two haploid cells, so cytokinesis occurs once here.
4. Then, after meiosis II, each of the two haploid cells divides again, resulting in four haploid cells total, so cytokinesis occurs a second time.
5. Conclude that cytokinesis occurs twice during meiosis: once after meiosis I and once after meiosis II.