OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

  1. Meiosis produces cells identical to the parent cell

  2. Meiosis results in the production of gametes

  3. Meiosis occurs in all body cells

  4. Meiosis is a faster process than mitosis

The correct answer is: Meiosis results in the production of gametes

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that plays a crucial role in sexual reproduction. It results in the production of gametes, which are sperm and egg cells in animals. During meiosis, one diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division to produce four non-identical haploid cells. This is essential for maintaining genetic diversity through processes such as independent assortment and crossing over during the phases of meiosis. The production of gametes ensures that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number of chromosomes, half from each parent. This is in stark contrast to mitosis, which produces two cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell, maintaining the same chromosome number. Thus, the role of meiosis in generating genetic diversity and sexual reproduction is a critical distinction between it and mitosis. Other options do not accurately reflect the nature of meiosis.

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