What term describes a nuclear division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Organ
• C. Cytoplasm
• D. Cytosol

Answer: (A)

The main idea is reduction division in sexual reproduction. Meiosis is the process that halves the chromosome number and produces four haploid daughter cells from a single diploid parent. This happens through two consecutive divisions: meiosis I where homologous chromosomes separate, and meiosis II where sister chromatids separate. The end result is four genetically diverse cells, each with half the original number of chromosomes, which is essential for maintaining chromosome number during fertilization. In contrast, mitosis keeps the chromosome number the same and yields two diploid, genetically identical cells. The other terms refer to cellular components or structures, not a division that changes chromosome number. So the correct term is meiosis.