Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What characteristic is associated with meiosis?

1. Produces identical cells

2. Results in genetic variation

3. Involves one round of division

4. Occurs in all somatic cells

The correct answer is: Results in genetic variation

The characteristic associated with meiosis is that it results in genetic variation. This is a key aspect of meiosis, which is the process of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms to produce gametes (sperm and eggs). During meiosis, genetic variation is introduced through processes such as crossing over, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, and independent assortment, where chromosomes are randomly distributed during the formation of gametes. This variation is essential for evolution and biodiversity, allowing for a greater mixture of genetic traits in offspring. In contrast, the other characteristics mentioned do not correctly describe meiosis. For instance, meiosis does not produce identical cells; rather, it results in four non-identical haploid cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell. Meiosis also involves two rounds of division (meiosis I and meiosis II), not one, which is why it leads to the reduction in chromosome number. Lastly, meiosis does not occur in all somatic cells; it is specific to cells that will develop into gametes, while somatic cells typically undergo mitosis for growth and repair.