Question

what is the main biological function of meiosis?
a to replicate body cells for growth
b to reduce the chromosome number by half in gametes
c to repair damaged cells
d to duplicate chromosomes in somatic cells

Explanation:

Meiosis is a type of cell division. In sexual reproduction, gametes (sperm and egg cells) are formed through meiosis. The key feature of meiosis is that it reduces the chromosome number by half. This is important because when a sperm (with half the chromosome number) fertilizes an egg (with half the chromosome number), the resulting zygote has the full set of chromosomes.

• Option A: Replicating body cells for growth is the function of mitosis, not meiosis.
• Option C: Repairing damaged cells is also a function of mitosis.
• Option D: Duplicating chromosomes in somatic cells is part of the process in mitosis.

Answer:

B. To reduce the chromosome number by half in gametes