Question

what type of cell is present at the beginning of prophase i of meiosis?

○ a haploid cell that contains one set of chromosomes

○ a diploid cell that contains one set of chromosomes

○ a haploid cell that contains two sets of chromosomes - one from each parent

○ a diploid cell that contains two sets of chromosomes - one from each parent

Explanation:

To determine the cell type at the start of Prophase I of meiosis, we recall:

• Meiosis begins with a diploid cell (has two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, denoted as \(2n\)).
• Haploid cells (\(n\)) have one set and are the result of meiosis, not the start.
• Option 1: Haploid (wrong, meiosis starts with diploid).
• Option 2: Diploid with one set (contradicts diploid definition).
• Option 3: Haploid with two sets (oxymoron, haploid = one set).
• Option 4: Diploid (two sets, one from each parent) matches meiosis’ starting cell.

Answer:

D. a diploid cell that contains two sets of chromosomes - one from each parent