In most sexually reproducing eukaryotes, meiosis produces how many daughter cells from one diploid parent cell?

• A. Two genetically distinct haploid daughter cells
• B. Two genetically identical diploid daughter cells
• C. Four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells
• D. Four genetically identical diploid daughter cells

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that meiosis is a type of cell division specific to sexually reproducing eukaryotes, which reduces the chromosome number by half to produce gametes (sex cells).
2. Recall that the parent cell in meiosis is diploid (2n), meaning it contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
3. Recognize that meiosis consists of two consecutive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, each with its own phases (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase).
4. Note that meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes, reducing the chromosome number from diploid to haploid (n), and meiosis II separates sister chromatids, similar to mitosis.
5. Conclude that the end result of meiosis is four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the original diploid parent cell.