Question

Which one of the following is wrong for meiosis?
A. It occurs by splitting of centromeres and separation of sister chromatids
B. It occurs in diploid cells
C. It occurs in haploid cells
D. None of these

Answer 1

Meiosis is a type of cell division, where one parent cell gets divided into four daughter cells. The daughter cells, thus produced are haploid in nature, that is it contains half the amount of chromosome from the parent nucleus. The process occurs primarily in sex cells or gametes.

Complete step by step answer: Meiosis involves the reduction in chromosome number into half. It is also known as the reductional division. Haploid cells cannot undergo the process because it already has half of the number of chromosomes. Therefore, a further reduction in the chromosome number is not possible in these cells, as the accuracy in chromosome numbers cannot be maintained.
Considering the other options:
i. The phase of meiosis where the splitting of chromosomes takes place is known as anaphase. The splitting occurs along the centromere and later the chromatids are pulled apart to the poles by the microtubules.
ii. The process of meiosis occurs in diploid cells. Since the process is a reduction division. It helps in maintaining the correct chromosome number in the daughter cells. Parent cells, which are diploid in nature undergo meiosis and form haploid daughter cells, which upon fertilization with other haploid cells form the daughter nuclei which is diploid.
Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Mitosis is another type of cell division. In this process, a single parent cell gets divided into two equal daughter cells carrying a diploid set of chromosomes, i.e. it has the same chromosome number as that of the parent cell. The main function of this purpose is the replacement of old cells by the production of new cells.