Question

Meiosis always takes place in -
(a)Meiocyte
(b)Conidia
(c)Gemmule
(d)Megaspore

Answer 1

Hint Meiosis is a process of cell division occurring in sexually-reproducing organisms to produce gametes. This process occurs in one of the given options, while the rest of them either are cells that form gametes or are a part of asexual organisms.

Complete answer:
- Meiosis is a process of cell division that occurs in germ cells that are specific for producing gametes in sexually reproducing organisms. It involves two divisions of one cell which results in four daughter cells that each contain a haploid chromosome.
- The meiocyte is a type of cell that differentiates into a gamete through meiosis. The diploid meiocyte divides to form four genetically different haploid daughter cells, better known as gametes.
- Meiocytes have been researched in yeasts, animals, and plants.

Additional information:
- Conidia are asexual non-motile spores of fungi. They are also known as asexual chlamydospores or chlamydoconidia. They are processed during mitosis.
- Gemmules are asexually reproducing mass of cells present in the internal buds of sponges. This mass is capable of turning into an adult.
- Megaspore is a type of spore present in heterosporous plants (such as gymnosperms) which germinates into a female gametophyte. It is also known as a macrospore.

So, the correct answer is ‘meiocyte’.

Note: - Cells that do not give rise to gametes (i.e. cells other than germ cells) in the body are known as somatic cells.
- Meiosis consists of reductional and equational divisions while mitosis consists of equational division.
- Errors in meiosis lead to an abnormal number of chromosomes and this condition is known as aneuploidy.