Which difference in chromosome alignment correctly distinguishes mitotic metaphase from meiotic metaphase I?

Answer: Mitosis aligns individual replicated chromosomes; meiosis I aligns homologous chromosome pairs (tetrads). In mitotic metaphase, each replicated chromosome aligns singly. In metaphase I, homologous pairs synapse as tetrads and align together, enabling later separation of homologs.

Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes (2n). Human gametes have

Answer: 23 (n) Haploid n = 23. Fertilization restores the diploid number (46) in the zygote.

Meiosis is the form of cell division that

Answer: Produces 4 genetically diverse haploid cells (gametes/spores) Meiosis halves chromosome number and shuffles alleles, producing haploid cells that fuse during fertilization.

AP Biology · Topic 5.1

Meiosis Practice

Part of Heredity.(IST-1.C)

Practice questions

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Sample questions

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Sample 1difficulty 1/5
$Which difference in chromosome alignment correctly distinguishes mitotic metaphase from meiotic metaphase I?$
- A
  $Both align identical structures.$
- B
  $Mitosis aligns individual replicated chromosomes; meiosis I aligns homologous chromosome pairs (tetrads).$
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- C
  $Mitosis aligns tetrads; meiosis I aligns single chromosomes.$
- D
  $Mitosis lacks centromere attachment to spindle.$
Why
$In mitotic metaphase, each replicated chromosome aligns singly. In metaphase I, homologous pairs synapse as tetrads and align together, enabling later separation of homologs.$
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Sample 2difficulty 1/5
$Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes (2n). Human gametes have$
- A
  $46 (2n)$
- B
  $1$
- C
  $23 (n)$
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- D
  $92 (4n)$
Why
$Haploid n = 23. Fertilization restores the diploid number (46) in the zygote.$
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Sample 3difficulty 1/5
$Meiosis is the form of cell division that$
- A
  $Produces somatic cells for growth and repair$
- B
  $Produces 2 genetically identical diploid cells$
- C
  $Repairs damaged DNA via homologous recombination$
- D
  $Produces 4 genetically diverse haploid cells (gametes/spores)$
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Why
$Meiosis halves chromosome number and shuffles alleles, producing haploid cells that fuse during fertilization.$
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Sample 4difficulty 2/5
$The diagram shows a cell with homologous chromosomes paired as tetrads aligned along the equator before separation.$
$Which stage of meiosis is depicted, and what genetic process establishes independent assortment here?$
- A
  $Metaphase I; random orientation of homologous pairs determines independent assortment.$
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- B
  $Prophase II; nuclear envelope reforms around chromosomes.$
- C
  $Anaphase I; sister chromatids separate to opposite poles.$
- D
  $Metaphase II; sister chromatids align independently.$
Why
$During metaphase I, homologous chromosome pairs (tetrads) line up at the metaphase plate. Their random maternal/paternal orientation gives rise to independent assortment, the foundation of Mendel's second law.$
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Sample 5difficulty 2/5
$The diagram contrasts the products of mitosis and meiosis from a 2n parent cell.$
$Which statement best describes the difference shown?$
- A
  $Mitosis produces gametes; meiosis produces somatic cells.$
- B
  $Meiosis produces four haploid (n) cells via two divisions; mitosis produces two diploid (2n) cells.$
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- C
  $Mitosis halves chromosome number while meiosis doubles it.$
- D
  $Both processes produce four haploid cells, but only mitosis includes crossing over.$
Why
$Mitosis yields two diploid daughter cells genetically identical to the parent; meiosis includes two divisions and yields four haploid cells with new allelic combinations from independent assortment and crossing over.$
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