Question

What is the likely consequence if sister chromatids fail to separate during anaphase 2 of meiosis?

A) The formation of gametes with half the normal number of chromosomes.
B) The formation of diploid gametes.
C) The formation of haploid gametes.
D) The failure to complete cytokinesis.

Answer 1

The failure of sister chromatids to separate during anaphase 2 of meiosis results in nondisjunction, which causes the formation of diploid gametes with abnormal numbers of chromosomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

If sister chromatids fail to separate during anaphase 2 of meiosis, the likely consequence is the formation of gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes, a condition known as nondisjunction. Specifically, this leads to the formation of one gamete that lacks a chromosome (n-1), two normal gametes, and one gamete with two copies of the chromosome (n+1). This results in gametes that are not haploid and can lead to disorders such as Down syndrome, where there is an extra copy of chromosome 21.

The correct answer to the student's question is "B) The formation of diploid gametes." These gametes have one more or one less than the normal haploid number of chromosomes due to the nondisjunction event.