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Quizzes > Science

Meiosis Practice Test: 20-Question Quiz on Cell Division

Quick science quiz to check your understanding. Instant results and meiosis answer key.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Mary DimoliapisUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art representing a trivia quiz about Meiosis Mastery for high school biology students.

This meiosis quiz helps you check how cells make gametes and spot gaps before a test. Answer 20 quick questions on stages, crossing over, and chromosome sets with instant feedback. For more practice, try the mitosis and meiosis practice test, check your knowledge with a genetics quiz, or sharpen skills with punnett square practice.

What is the primary purpose of meiosis?
To produce gametes (sperm and egg cells)
To repair cell damage
To produce genetically identical cells
To facilitate asexual reproduction
Meiosis is the process by which a diploid cell divides to produce four haploid gametes. This reduction in chromosome number is essential for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.
In which type of cells does meiosis occur?
Germ cells (gametes)
Stem cells
Bacterial cells
Somatic cells
Meiosis occurs in germ cells which give rise to gametes. This ensures that gametes have half the number of chromosomes, allowing for proper chromosome restoration upon fertilization.
How many daughter cells are produced at the end of meiosis?
8
2
16
4
Meiosis involves two consecutive cell divisions, which result in four haploid daughter cells. This reduction is critical for maintaining the correct number of chromosomes in gametes.
Which stage of meiosis involves the pairing of homologous chromosomes?
Anaphase I
Telophase I
Prophase I
Metaphase I
During Prophase I, homologous chromosomes undergo synapsis, where they pair closely together. This pairing is a prerequisite for crossing over, a process that increases genetic diversity.
What is the genetic significance of crossing over during meiosis?
It repairs damaged DNA
It leads to mutations
It reduces genetic variability
It creates genetic diversity
Crossing over exchanges segments of DNA between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. This process is key to generating new allele combinations, thereby increasing genetic diversity in offspring.
During which phase of meiosis does homologous recombination occur?
Anaphase I
Telophase II
Prophase I
Metaphase I
Homologous recombination takes place in prophase I when homologous chromosomes come together. This exchange of genetic material is a critical mechanism for increasing genetic variation.
Which stage of meiosis is characterized by the alignment of tetrads at the cell equator?
Metaphase I
Prophase I
Anaphase II
Metaphase II
During Metaphase I, paired homologous chromosomes (tetrads) align along the cell's equatorial plate. This alignment is essential for their accurate separation during anaphase I.
What is the result of nondisjunction during Anaphase I?
Chromosomes being replicated
Cell apoptosis
Gametes with abnormal numbers of chromosomes
Mutations in DNA
Nondisjunction during Anaphase I means that homologous chromosomes do not separate correctly. This error results in gametes with too many or too few chromosomes, which can lead to genetic disorders.
How does independent assortment contribute to genetic variation?
By cell division errors
By replicating DNA accurately
By random orientation of homologous chromosome pairs during metaphase I
By crossover between sister chromatids
Independent assortment occurs when homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed to daughter cells during metaphase I. This randomness creates new combinations of chromosomes, greatly enhancing genetic diversity.
Which process is unique to meiosis and does not occur in mitosis?
Chromosome condensation
Cytokinesis
DNA replication before division
Crossing over
Crossing over is a distinctive feature of meiosis, wherein homologous chromosomes exchange segments of DNA. This process is absent in mitosis and is central to the genetic variability observed in sexually reproducing organisms.
What distinguishes meiosis I from meiosis II?
Meiosis II is the only phase that involves cell division
Meiosis I occurs only in gametes
Both phases maintain the chromosome number
Meiosis I reduces the chromosome number by half
Meiosis I is a reductional division where homologous chromosomes separate, reducing the chromosome number by half. Meiosis II, on the other hand, separates sister chromatids, similar to mitosis.
During which phase do sister chromatids separate in meiosis?
Metaphase I
Prophase I
Anaphase II
Telophase I
Sister chromatids separate during Anaphase II of meiosis. This separation ensures that each resulting gamete contains a single copy of each chromatid, maintaining proper chromosomal balance.
What is the main function of cytokinesis in meiosis?
To repair genetic mutations
To replicate DNA
To initiate chromosome condensation
To divide the cytoplasm into distinct cells
Cytokinesis is the process that splits the cytoplasm, leading to the formation of individual daughter cells after the nuclear divisions. This step is critical in ensuring that each cell has its own membrane and cytoplasmic content.
How many rounds of cell division occur in meiosis?
Three
One
Four
Two
Meiosis consists of two rounds of cell division: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. This sequence ultimately leads to the formation of four distinct haploid cells from a single diploid cell.
Which structure holds homologous chromosomes together facilitating crossing over?
Synaptonemal complex
Spindle fiber
Nuclear membrane
Centromere
The synaptonemal complex is a protein structure that forms between homologous chromosomes during Prophase I. It is essential for holding the chromosomes together and facilitating the crossing over process.
During Prophase I, what is the significance of the formation of chiasmata?
It is where sister chromatids separate
It marks the division between early and late prophase
It indicates where crossing over has occurred
It is the final step of cytokinesis
Chiasmata are the physical manifestations of crossing over events between homologous chromosomes. Their formation during prophase I confirms that genetic recombination has taken place, thereby enhancing genetic diversity.
How does the orientation of bivalents during metaphase I contribute to genetic variation?
It causes the homologous chromosomes to pair permanently
It results in the symmetrical division of the spindle fibers
It leads to replication errors
It randomizes the distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes
The random orientation of bivalents at metaphase I allows for a mix of maternal and paternal chromosomes in the resulting gametes. This randomness is a key factor in generating genetic variation.
In the context of meiosis, what is the outcome of a failure in the synapsis process during Prophase I?
Increased genetic diversity
Formation of defective gametes due to improper recombination
Accelerated cell division
Enhanced chromosomal stability
If synapsis fails during Prophase I, homologous chromosomes do not pair correctly, leading to errors in crossing over. This can result in defective gametes that possess abnormal numbers or structures of chromosomes.
What role do cohesin proteins play during meiosis?
They initiate cytokinesis
They hold sister chromatids together until they are separated
They facilitate the attachment of spindle fibers
They catalyze the crossing over process
Cohesin proteins are responsible for maintaining the connection between sister chromatids. Their role is crucial until anaphase when the chromatids are finally separated, ensuring proper chromosome segregation.
Which of the following best explains the phenomenon of reductional division?
The recombination between non-homologous chromosomes
The separation of sister chromatids during meiosis II
The process of DNA replication prior to meiosis
The halving of the chromosome number during meiosis I
Reductional division refers to the division in meiosis I where homologous chromosomes are separated, effectively reducing the chromosome number by half. This division is key to ensuring that gametes contain only a single set of chromosomes.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the sequential stages of meiosis.
  2. Differentiate between the processes of meiosis I and meiosis II.
  3. Analyze the role of crossing over in genetic variation.
  4. Apply knowledge of chromosomal behavior to predict outcomes of cell division.
  5. Evaluate the implications of meiosis in genetic inheritance.

Meiosis Quiz With Answers Cheat Sheet

  1. Stages of Meiosis - Meiosis unfolds in two major phases: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. In Meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and then separate, cutting the chromosome number in half. Meiosis II mimics mitosis as sister chromatids split, producing four genetically distinct haploid cells. ThoughtCo Meiosis Study Guide
  2. Crossing Over - During Prophase I, homologous chromosomes swap genetic segments in a process called crossing over. This genetic shuffling ensures each gamete carries a unique mix of traits, fueling biodiversity in future generations. Study Guide Today: Crossing Over
  3. Independent Assortment - In Metaphase I, chromosome pairs line up randomly along the cell's center. This random arrangement means each gamete gets a different combination of maternal and paternal chromosomes, boosting genetic variety. Study Guide Today: Independent Assortment
  4. Diploid vs. Haploid - Diploid cells (2n) carry two full sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, while haploid cells (n) hold just one set. Gametes must be haploid so that fertilization restores the diploid number in offspring. Learn Biology: Diploid vs Haploid
  5. Meiosis in Sexual Reproduction - Meiosis gears up sexual reproduction by generating gametes with half the usual chromosome count. When sperm and egg unite, they create a zygote with a fresh and unique set of genetic instructions. Learn Biology: Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction
  6. Mitosis vs. Meiosis - Mitosis churns out two identical diploid daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four diverse haploid cells for reproduction. Comparing them helps you grasp why organisms can grow yet still shuffle traits each generation. Learn Biology: Mitosis vs Meiosis
  7. Key Terminology - Grasping terms like homologous chromosomes, sister chromatids, tetrads, centromeres, and chiasmata unlocks the language of meiosis. A solid glossary helps you follow diagrams and understand each stage's choreography. TEKS Guide: Key Terms
  8. Chromosome Number Maintenance - Meiosis prevents chromosome doubling by halving the number in gametes. This balancing act keeps each generation's genome stable over time. Learn Biology: Chromosome Number
  9. Reduction Division - Meiosis I is nicknamed "reduction division" because it reduces the cell's chromosome content from diploid to haploid. This crucial step sets up the four-celled finale of meiosis. ThoughtCo: Reduction Division
  10. Gamete Formation & Fertilization - Meiosis sculpts sperm and egg cells ready for fertilization. When these haploid cells merge, they forge a new diploid zygote, kick‑starting the journey of a brand‑new organism. Learn Biology: Gamete Formation
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