How do meiosis-produced cells differ from those produced by mitosis?

• A. Meiosis produces genetically unique haploid cells, while mitosis produces identical diploid cells.
• B. Meiosis produces identical diploid cells, while mitosis produces haploid cells.
• C. Both produce identical diploid cells.
• D. Meiosis produces identical haploid cells, while mitosis produces genetically unique diploid cells.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how these divisions affect both chromosome number and genetic variation. Meiosis creates haploid cells and generates genetic diversity. Through crossing over during prophase I and independent assortment of homologous chromosomes, the four products end up genetically different from each other and from the starting cell.

Mitosis, on the other hand, preserves the chromosome number and produces two diploid daughter cells that are essentially identical to the parent cell (aside from new mutations). There is no recombination between homologs in mitosis, and the division separates sister chromatids, not homologous pairs.

So, meiosis reduces the chromosome number and increases variation, while mitosis preserves chromosome number and yields identical copies.