Question

which of these best describes the primary goal of meiosis?
a the nucleus is divided without mutation.
b a single cell divides into two daughter cells.
c all chromosomes are replicated and passed on to the daughter cells.
d daughter cells are produced with only half the chromosomes of the parent cell.

Explanation:

To determine the primary goal of meiosis, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Meiosis can have mutations, and its main goal isn't just nuclear division without mutation. Mitosis also divides the nucleus, and meiosis has other key functions.
• Option B: A single cell dividing into two daughter cells is characteristic of mitosis (and the first division of meiosis, but the end result of meiosis is four cells with half the chromosomes). This is not the primary goal of meiosis.
• Option C: Chromosome replication occurs in interphase before both mitosis and meiosis, and passing on all chromosomes is mitosis' role (to produce identical daughter cells). Meiosis reduces chromosome number.
• Option D: Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) or spores. Its primary goal is to reduce the chromosome number by half (from diploid, 2n, to haploid, n) so that when gametes fuse during fertilization, the original diploid number is restored. So daughter cells have half the chromosomes of the parent cell.

Answer:

D. Daughter cells are produced with only half the chromosomes of the parent cell.