In meiosis, a single diploid parent cell undergoes two successive divisions to form how many daughter cells?

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that meiosis consists of two successive cell divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, starting from one diploid parent cell.
2. Understand that meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, so the daughter cells are haploid, containing one set of chromosomes.
3. Recognize that meiosis produces genetically distinct cells due to processes like crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis I.
4. Note that after the two divisions, the original diploid cell results in four daughter cells, not two or eight.
5. Conclude that the correct description is four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells formed from one diploid parent cell through meiosis.