In most sexually reproducing eukaryotes, what is the end result of meiosis?

• A. Four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells (gametes or spores) with half the chromosome number of the original diploid cell
• B. Two genetically distinct haploid daughter cells produced after two rounds of DNA replication and one division
• C. Two genetically identical diploid daughter cells with the same chromosome number as the original cell
• D. Four genetically identical diploid daughter cells produced after one round of DNA replication and one division

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid cells from an original diploid cell.
2. Recall that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, but only one round of DNA replication occurs before these divisions.
3. Recognize that meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes, reducing the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n), and meiosis II separates sister chromatids.
4. Note that the end result of meiosis is four daughter cells, each genetically distinct due to processes like crossing over and independent assortment.
5. Conclude that these four daughter cells are haploid, containing half the chromosome number of the original diploid cell, and are typically gametes or spores.