Final Answer:
Meiosis is a specialized cell division process that occurs in sexually reproductive organisms, leading to the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells).Thus, the correct option is D. Meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key characteristic of meiosis is the reduction in the number of chromosomes by half. At the start of meiosis, a diploid cell (2n), which has two sets of chromosomes, undergoes two successive divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II), resulting in the production of four haploid cells (n), each with a single set of chromosomes. This reduction in chromosome number is essential for maintaining the chromosome number across generations during sexual reproduction.
Mitosis, on the other hand, is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Therefore, statement A is incorrect as mitosis does not double the number of chromosomes; it maintains the chromosome number.
Regarding statement B, pollen is actually produced by the male reproductive organ of a flower, the stamen, rather than the pistil, making statement B incorrect.
Statement C is also inaccurate because meiosis is not typically involved in the replacement of damaged cells. Instead, mitosis is the primary process for cell replacement and tissue repair in multicellular organisms.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. Meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half.