Which of the following best explains how meiosis results in four haploid daughter cells

Cells divide and reproduce in two ways, mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, whereas meiosis results in four sex cells. Below we highlight the keys differences and similarities between the two types of cell division.

Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information. These cells are our sex cells – sperm in males, eggs in females.

During meiosis one cell divides twice to form four daughter cells.
These four daughter cells only have half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell – they are haploid.
Meiosis produces our sex cells or gametes (eggs in females and sperm in males).

Meiosis can be divided into nine stages. These are divided between the first time the cell divides (meiosis I) and the second time it divides (meiosis II):

Meiosis I

1. Interphase:

The DNA in the cell is copied resulting in two identical full sets of chromosomes.
Outside of the nucleus are two centrosomes, each containing a pair of centrioles, these structures are critical for the process of cell division.
During interphase, microtubules extend from these centrosomes.

2. Prophase I:

The copied chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures that can be easily seen under a microscope.
Each chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids containing identical genetic information.
The chromosomes pair up so that both copies of chromosome 1 are together, both copies of chromosome 2 are together, and so on.
The pairs of chromosomes may then exchange bits of DNA in a process called recombination or crossing over.
At the end of Prophase I the membrane around the nucleus in the cell dissolves away, releasing the chromosomes.
The meiotic spindle, consisting of microtubules and other proteins, extends across the cell between the centrioles.

3. Metaphase I:

The chromosome pairs line up next to each other along the centre (equator) of the cell.
The centrioles are now at opposites poles of the cell with the meiotic spindles extending from them.
The meiotic spindle fibres attach to one chromosome of each pair.

4. Anaphase I:

The pair of chromosomes are then pulled apart by the meiotic spindle, which pulls one chromosome to one pole of the cell and the other chromosome to the opposite pole.
In meiosis I the sister chromatids stay together. This is different to what happens in mitosis and meiosis II.

5. Telophase I and cytokinesis:

The chromosomes complete their move to the opposite poles of the cell.
At each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.
A membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new nuclei.
The single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells each containing a full set of chromosomes within a nucleus. This process is known as cytokinesis.

Meiosis II

6. Prophase II:

Now there are two daughter cells, each with 23 chromosomes (23 pairs of chromatids).
In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes condense again into visible X-shaped structures that can be easily seen under a microscope.
The membrane around the nucleus in each daughter cell dissolves away releasing the chromosomes.
The centrioles duplicate.
The meiotic spindle forms again.

7. Metaphase II:

In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes (pair of sister chromatids) line up end-to-end along the equator of the cell.
The centrioles are now at opposites poles in each of the daughter cells.
Meiotic spindle fibres at each pole of the cell attach to each of the sister chromatids.

8. Anaphase II:

The sister chromatids are then pulled to opposite poles due to the action of the meiotic spindle.
The separated chromatids are now individual chromosomes.

9. Telophase II and cytokinesis:

The chromosomes complete their move to the opposite poles of the cell.
At each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.
A membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new cell nuclei.
This is the last phase of meiosis, however cell division is not complete without another round of cytokinesis.
Once cytokinesis is complete there are four granddaughter cells, each with half a set of chromosomes (haploid):
- in males, these four cells are all sperm cells
- in females, one of the cells is an egg cell while the other three are polar bodies (small cells that do not develop into eggs).

Illustration showing the nine stages of meiosis.
Image credit: Genome Research Limited

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Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. This process is required to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction. During reproduction, when the sperm and egg unite to form a single cell, the number of chromosomes is restored in the offspring.

Meiosis begins with a parent cell that is diploid, meaning it has two copies of each chromosome. The parent cell undergoes one round of DNA replication followed by two separate cycles of nuclear division. The process results in four daughter cells that are haploid, which means they contain half the number of chromosomes of the diploid parent cell.

Meiosis has both similarities to and differences from mitosis, which is a cell division process in which a parent cell produces two identical daughter cells. Meiosis begins following one round of DNA replication in cells in the male or female sex organs. The process is split into meiosis I and meiosis II, and both meiotic divisions have multiple phases. Meiosis I is a type of cell division unique to germ cells, while meiosis II is similar to mitosis.

Meiosis I, the first meiotic division, begins with prophase I. During prophase I, the complex of DNA and protein known as chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. The pairs of replicated chromosomes are known as sister chromatids, and they remain joined at a central point called the centromere. A large structure called the meiotic spindle also forms from long proteins called microtubules on each side, or pole, of the cell. Between prophase I and metaphase I, the pairs of homologous chromosome form tetrads. Within the tetrad, any pair of chromatid arms can overlap and fuse in a process called crossing-over or recombination. Recombination is a process that breaks, recombines and rejoins sections of DNA to produce new combinations of genes. In metaphase I, the homologous pairs of chromosomes align on either side of the equatorial plate. Then, in anaphase I, the spindle fibers contract and pull the homologous pairs, each with two chromatids, away from each other and toward each pole of the cell. During telophase I, the chromosomes are enclosed in nuclei. The cell now undergoes a process called cytokinesis that divides the cytoplasm of the original cell into two daughter cells. Each daughter cell is haploid and has only one set of chromosomes, or half the total number of chromosomes of the original cell.

Meiosis II is a mitotic division of each of the haploid cells produced in meiosis I. During prophase II, the chromosomes condense, and a new set of spindle fibers forms. The chromosomes begin moving toward the equator of the cell. During metaphase II, the centromeres of the paired chromatids align along the equatorial plate in both cells. Then in anaphase II, the chromosomes separate at the centromeres. The spindle fibers pull the separated chromosomes toward each pole of the cell. Finally, during telophase II, the chromosomes are enclosed in nuclear membranes. Cytokinesis follows, dividing the cytoplasm of the two cells. At the conclusion of meiosis, there are four haploid daughter cells that go on to develop into either sperm or egg cells.