In sexually reproducing eukaryotes, which type of cells undergo meiosis?

• A. Prokaryotic cells during binary fission
• B. Somatic body cells that divide for growth and tissue repair
• C. Germline cells in the gonads that produce gametes (e.g., spermatocytes and oocytes)
• D. Mature gametes (sperm and egg) after fertilization to form a zygote

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between cell types: Prokaryotic cells reproduce by binary fission, which is a form of asexual reproduction and does not involve meiosis.
2. Recognize that somatic body cells divide by mitosis for growth and tissue repair, not meiosis, so they do not undergo meiosis.
3. Identify germline cells as specialized cells located in the gonads (testes and ovaries) that undergo meiosis to produce gametes (sperm and eggs).
4. Recall that mature gametes (sperm and egg) are the products of meiosis and do not undergo meiosis themselves; after fertilization, they form a zygote.
5. Conclude that meiosis specifically occurs in germline cells in the gonads to reduce the chromosome number by half and produce haploid gametes.