Question

which statement correctly describes the cells produced by meiosis?

the genetic material of the new cells is diploid.

the genetic material of the original cell is divided among the new cells.

the new cells are exact copies of the original cell.

the new cells are identical.

Explanation:

• For the first option: Meiosis produces haploid cells (with half the number of chromosomes, so genetic material is haploid, not diploid), so this is incorrect.
• For the second option: In meiosis, the genetic material (chromosomes) of the original diploid cell is divided among the four resulting haploid cells (gametes), this is correct.
• For the third option: Exact copies of the original cell are produced by mitosis, not meiosis. Meiosis involves genetic recombination and reduction in chromosome number, so new cells are not exact copies, this is incorrect.
• For the fourth option: Due to crossing - over and independent assortment during meiosis, the new cells (gametes) are genetically different from each other and from the original cell, so they are not identical, this is incorrect.

Answer:

The genetic material of the original cell is divided among the new cells.