Home / iGCSE Biology (0610)-17.3 Meiosis – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 2

iGCSE Biology (0610)-17.3 Meiosis – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 2

IGCSE Biology (0610) Practice Questions Paper 2 - All Chapters

Question

Four features of cell division are listed.

1. Haploid cells are produced.
2. New cells are genetically identical.
3. It is a reduction division.
4. It results in variation.

Which features would be associated with meiosis?

(A) $1$, $2$ and $3$
(B) $1$, $2$ and $4$
(C) $1$, $3$ and $4$
(D) $2$, $3$ and $4$
▶️ Answer/Explanation

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It is known as a reduction division because it halves the chromosome number from diploid ($2n$) to haploid ($n$). Unlike mitosis, meiosis involves processes like crossing over and independent assortment, which ensure that the resulting daughter cells exhibit genetic variation. Feature $2$ is incorrect for meiosis because the daughter cells are genetically unique, not identical. Therefore, features $1$, $3$, and $4$ are the correct descriptors.

✅ Answer: (C)

Question

Which statement describes the effect of meiosis on chromosome number?

(A) A diploid parent cell produces diploid daughter cells.
(B) A diploid parent cell produces haploid daughter cells.
(C) A haploid parent cell produces diploid daughter cells.
(D) A haploid parent cell produces haploid daughter cells.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division often referred to as “reduction division.” During this process, a single diploid cell ($2n$) undergoes two consecutive rounds of nuclear division to eventually produce four genetically unique daughter cells. Each of these resulting cells contains exactly half the number of chromosomes as the original parent, making them haploid ($n$). This reduction is critical for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote restores the correct diploid number rather than doubling it. Consequently, the correct description is that a diploid parent cell produces haploid daughter cells.
✅ Answer: (B)

Question

Which chromosomes can be found in a single sperm?

(A) $X$ and $X$
(B) $X$ and $Y$
(C) $X$ or $X$
(D) $X$ or $Y$
▶️ Answer/Explanation

In humans, somatic cells are diploid and contain two sex chromosomes ($XY$ in males). During the process of meiosis, these pairs separate to form haploid gametes. Since a sperm cell is a gamete, it contains only half the genetic material of a normal cell, meaning it carries only one sex chromosome.

Approximately $50\%$ of sperm cells will carry an $X$ chromosome, and the other $50\%$ will carry a $Y$ chromosome. Therefore, any single sperm will contain either an $X$ or a $Y$ chromosome, but never both under normal biological conditions. Options suggesting “and” are incorrect because they imply the sperm is diploid for sex chromosomes.
✅ Answer: (D)

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