Which of these best describes the primary goal of meiosis

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

Explanation:

Meiosis:

Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in germ cells i.e. reproductive cells. Meiosis, also known as reduction division, produces four haploid (n) gametes. Upon fertilization, these gametes (egg and sperm) fuse to produce a diploid (2n) zygote, restoring the original diploid number of chromosomes.

Overview of Meiosis Events:

Interphase:

Prepares the cell for division. Duplication of DNA, duplication of centrioles occurs and the cell grows in size. At this stage the cell is diploid (2n).

Prophase 1:

First stage of Meiosis 1.The centrioles move to the poles of the cell, the nuclear membrane disintegrates, homologous chromosomes pair up (in the form of tetrad), form a chiasmata and then exchange segments of chromosomes with each other. This process is called crossing over.

Metaphase 1:

Involves the arrangement of the crossed over, homologous chromosomes on the metaphase plate which is sort of like a web of spindle fibers that originates from the centrioles.

Anaphase 1:

The tetrads arranged on the metaphase plate are pulled apart by the spindle fibers. This is the result of tension that build up in the spindle fibers as they grow towards opposite poles.

Telophase 1:

The last stage of meiosis 1. Involves the arrival of the chromosomes at the poles, the nuclear membrane starts to form and the chromosomes start decondensing. Telophase 1 yields 2 daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as that in the parent cell.

Meiosis 2:

Meiosis 2 is exactly similar to mitosis. The only difference is that the haploid cells entering meiosis 2 do not duplicate their DNA. Meiosis 2 just involves the separation of the sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.

As mentioned above, interphase does not occur before meiosis 2.

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