Meiosis, the cell division that produces gametes, results in cells that contain what?

• A. Contain zero chromosomes
• B. Contain the full number of chromosomes
• C. Contain half the usual number of chromosomes
• D. Contain more than the usual number of chromosomes

Answer: (C)

Meiosis reduces the chromosome count to form gametes. Body cells are diploid, carrying a full set of chromosomes, while gametes are haploid, containing half as many. In humans, that means 46 in somatic cells and 23 in gametes. This reduction happens because homologous chromosomes separate in meiosis I and sister chromatids separate in meiosis II, producing four haploid cells. So the cells produced contain half the usual number of chromosomes. Options suggesting zero chromosomes, the full number, or more than the usual number don’t reflect how meiosis normally works.