Question

1. how do the daughter cells formed at the end of meiosis compare to the parent cell at the start of meiosis?

a the daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes.
b the daughter cells have twice the number of chromosomes.
c the daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes.
d the daughter cells have one - fourth the number of chromosomes.

1. a scientist studies a population of rabbits that reproduce sexually. the scientist observes that offspring in the population have different traits from their parents.

which statement best describes how genetic variation occurs in this population?
a chromosomes assort independently during meiosis, creating new genetic combinations.
b offspring inherit traits based on how often their parents use them during their lifetime.
c chromosomes are passed on in pairs during mitosis, increasing genetic diversity in offspring.
d offspring develop new traits during their lifetime to increase genetic diversity in rabbits.

Explanation:

• Question 25:

Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half. This is crucial for sexual reproduction as it ensures that when gametes (sperm and egg) fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes. So, daughter cells at the end of meiosis have half the number of chromosomes compared to the parent cell at the start of meiosis.

• Question 26:

Genetic variation in sexually - reproducing organisms (like rabbits) is largely due to the process of meiosis. During meiosis, chromosomes assort independently (Mendel's law of independent assortment). This means that different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes can end up in the gametes. When gametes from two parents fuse, new genetic combinations are created in the offspring. Mitosis (options C and D) is for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction and does not create genetic variation in the way described. Option B (inheritance based on trait use) is related to Lamarckian ideas which have been largely disproven in the context of modern genetics.

Answer:

1. C. The daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes.
2. A. Chromosomes assort independently during meiosis, creating new genetic combinations.