Question

If a somatic cell during metaphase of mitosis contains 16 chromatids, and a germ-line cell from this species divides by meiosis, then at the end of meiosis I (including the first cytokinesis) each cell will contain _

Answer 1

8 chromatids

Step-by-step explanation:

Meiosis is a kind of division that produces offsprings with their chromosomal number reduced by half. It occurs in a two-step division i.e. meiosis I and II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes (similar but non-identical chromosomes received from each parent) separate.

Hence, in this case involving a somatic cell with 16 chromatids. This means that it possesses 8 chromosomes since each chromosome comprises of two sister chromatids. During Anaphase 1 of meiosis 1, each homologous chromosome separate into opposite poles of the cell, and after cytokinesis, there would be 4 chromosomes (8 chromatids) in each cell.

These chromatids will separate in meiosis II.