Question

1. meiosis differs from mitosis for the following reasons, except

a. sex cells can combine with another sex cell during fertilization to create offspring with genetic variation.
b. it produces four genetically unique cells rather than two identical clones of the parent.
c. it is a type of diffusion.
d. it involves two cell divisions instead of one.

Explanation:

• Option a: Meiosis produces sex cells (gametes) that combine in fertilization to give genetic variation, which is a difference from mitosis (mitosis produces somatic cells, not for sexual reproduction - related variation in this way).
• Option b: Meiosis produces 4 haploid, genetically unique cells; mitosis produces 2 diploid, identical daughter cells. This is a key difference.
• Option c: Diffusion is the movement of particles (like in cell transport for molecules), while meiosis is a cell division process for producing gametes. So meiosis is not a type of diffusion, and this statement is incorrect (so it's the "except" option as it's not a valid reason for how meiosis differs from mitosis).
• Option d: Meiosis has two rounds of cell division (meiosis I and meiosis II), mitosis has one. This is a major difference.

Answer:

c. It is a type of diffusion.