A Level Biology Practice Exam

What does reduction division produce?

1. Diploid cells from haploid parents

2. Haploid cells from a diploid cell

3. Two identical diploid cells

4. Chromatid pairs for cell division

The correct answer is: Haploid cells from a diploid cell

Reduction division, which occurs during meiosis, specifically refers to the process by which a diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division—meiosis I and meiosis II—to ultimately produce haploid cells. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number by half. This results in the formation of four genetically diverse haploid gametes from one diploid parent cell. The primary objective of reduction division is to ensure that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote retains the diploid state. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction as it allows for genetic variation and maintains the species' chromosome number across generations. Unlike the other options, which either describe processes that do not happen during reduction division or involve incorrect details about cell types produced, the production of haploid cells from a diploid cell accurately captures the essence and outcome of this biological process.