Meiosis is one of 10 topics in the Grade 12 Life Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Meiosis produces daughter cells that are:
Haploid (n), with half the chromosome number of the parent cell
Diploid (2n), identical to the parent cell
Triploid (3n)
Identical in chromosome number but with double the DNA content of the parent
Answer: Haploid (n), with half the chromosome number of the parent cell — Meiosis is a reduction division that halves the chromosome number, producing haploid gametes from a diploid parent cell.
Easy
2. A normal human diploid body cell has 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes does a normal human gamete (sperm or egg cell) contain after meiosis?
Answer: 23 — Meiosis halves the diploid number (2n=46) to the haploid number (n=23) found in gametes.
Medium
3. How many daughter cells are produced from one diploid parent cell by the end of meiosis, and what is their ploidy?
Four haploid daughter cells
Two haploid daughter cells
Four diploid daughter cells
Two diploid daughter cells
Answer: Four haploid daughter cells — Meiosis I and II together produce four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell.
