Question

What are meiocytes? Name the diploid number in potato and housefly.

Answer 1

Meiocytes are kinds of cells that can differentiate to produce gametes through the process of meiosis. A diploid meiocyte undergoes division to produce four genetically haploid gametes.

Complete answer:
Meiosis is a specialised cell division which takes place in the germ cells to produce gametes which in case of humans can be both eggs and sperm. Meiosis is divided into two stages known as meiosis I and meiosis II. Like mitotic division meiotic division is also preceded by an interphase which comprises the same three stages like that of mitosis namely G1, S and G2.
The role of the three stages are also the same in meiosis. Meiosis I comprises of four stages- prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I and telophase I. during meiosis I the replicated homologous chromosomes that are made up of two sister chromatids segregate into two daughter cells, reducing the chromosome number by half. Meiosis II also comprises the same four stages of meiosis I.
During meiosis II the decoupled sister chromatids of meiosis I undergo division leading to the formation of four haploid daughter cells. Meiosis I is also referred to as reductional division as the ploidy gets reduced and meiosis II is referred to as equational division which is similar to mitosis. The diploid number in potato is 48 and the diploid number in housefly is 12.

Note: Meiosis is thus a very important process that ultimately leads to development of offspring. Any error in meiosis results in aneuploidy which is an abnormal number of chromosomes. Errors in meiosis also cause miscarriage and developmental abnormalities.