Question

A diploid somatic ("body") cell has 2n = 20 chromosomes. At the end of mitosis, each daughter cell would have ______ chromosomes. At the end of meiosis I, each daughter cell would have ______ chromosomes. At the end of meiosis II, each daughter cell would have ______ chromosomes.

a. 2n = 20, 2n = 20, 1n = 10
b. 2n = 20, 2n = 10, 1n = 10
c. 1n = 10, 1n = 10, 1n = 10
d. 2n = 20, 2n = 20, 1n = 20
e. 2n = 20, 1n = 10, 1n = 10

Answer 1

e. 2n = 20, 1n = 10, 1n = 10

Step-by-step explanation:

When a cell undergoes mitosis it divides into two daughter cells, each identical to the original. For that reason, a diploid cell with 20 chromosmoes (2n = 20) will produce two identical daughter cells after mitosis.

During meiosis I the homologous chromosomes separate and the daughter cells become haploid (only one set of each chromosome) and with half the original chromosome number (n=10). Each chromosome has 2 chromatids.

During meiosis II the two chromatids of each chromosome separate, but the daughter cells remain haploid and with the same chromosome number.