Biology STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

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Study for the Biology STAAR Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

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How many cells are produced at the end of meiosis?

2 cells
4 cells
8 cells
16 cells

The correct answer is: 4 cells

At the end of meiosis, a total of four cells are produced. Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating gametes—sperm and eggs in animals. This process consists of two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II. During meiosis I, a diploid cell divides to create two haploid cells, each containing half the original number of chromosomes. Then, in meiosis II, each of those two haploid cells divides again without replicating their DNA, resulting in a total of four distinct haploid cells. Each of these cells has a unique combination of alleles due to the genetic recombination that occurs during the first division. This is essential for sexual reproduction, as it increases genetic diversity in the offspring. Therefore, the correct answer is the production of four cells at the end of meiosis.