Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half.

• A. It doubles chromosome number
• B. It keeps the same chromosome number
• C. It halves the chromosome number
• D. It increases chromosome number

Answer: (C)

Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half. This process follows one round of DNA replication and then two cell divisions. The first division separates homologous chromosomes, so the total number of chromosome sets drops from diploid to haploid. The second division then splits sister chromatids, yielding four haploid cells. This halving is essential so that fertilization restores the species-specific chromosome number when two gametes unite. For humans, a diploid cell with 46 chromosomes produces gametes with 23 chromosomes. If the number were doubled or kept the same, the chromosome count in offspring would be incorrect after fertilization.