Zaymiey

🔬 Biology  ·  Cell Cycle and Cell Division  ·  NEET

A somatic cell has 24 chromosomes. How many chromosomes will each cell contain at the end of meiosis I?

Answer: 12.

  • A 24
  • B 48
  • C 12
  • D 6

Correct answer: C. 12

Explanation: Meiosis I is reductional: a 2n = 24 cell gives cells with 12 chromosomes (each still made of two chromatids).

The Cell CycleG1SG2M (Mitosis)G1+S+G2 = Interphase (the longest part of the cycle, where the cell spends most of its time)

The cell cycle: G1 (growth and preparation), S (DNA replication, chromosome number stays 2n but DNA content doubles), G2 (final checks before division), and M (mitosis itself) - together, G1+S+G2 make up interphase.

Concept context

Mitosis and meiosis: how cells divide for growth, repair, and reproduction.

Read the full Cell Cycle and Cell Division notes →