A diploid (2n) cell undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each gamete contain?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about the chromosome number in gametes produced by meiosis from a diploid (2n) cell.
Option 1: 4n. This would imply chromosome doubling rather than reduction. Meiosis does not produce cells with more chromosomes than the parent; thus 4n is incorrect.
Option 2: 2n. A 2n gamete would maintain the diploid chromosome number, which happens in mitosis or fertilization failure, but not in normal meiosis. Therefore this is not right for gametes formed by meiosis.
Option 3: Half n. While leaning toward a phrasing that suggests half of n (which would be ambiguous numerically), it is not standard terminology for chromosome count. The intended correct descriptor is simply n, not 'Half n', so this option is misleading and incorrect.
Option 4: n. This is the standard outcome of meiosis: the diploid (2n) parent reduces its chromosome number by half to produce haploid gametes with n chromosomes each. This matches the fundamental meiotic reduction from 2n to n.
In summary, only the last option aligns with the core principle of meiosis—the reduction of chromosome number from 2n to n in gametes—whereas the other options describe scenarios inconsistent with meiotic reduction or use imprecise terminology.

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A diploid (2n) cell undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each gamete contain?

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