Question

What occurs in germinal cells during gamete formation?
a. One reduction division and one equational division
b. Two successive equational divisions
c. Two successive reduction divisions
d. Short prophase in division 1

Answer 1

Hint: Cell is the structural and functional unit of our life. It can divide and it has different functions inside the body. During cell division, DNA replication and cell growth takes place. Germinal cells are the biological cells that give rise to the gametes which are responsible for sexual reproduction.

Complete answer:
Gamete formation takes place through meiosis. These are formed from specialised diploid cells. During gamete formation one reduction division takes place in which a germ cell experiences two fissions thereby producing four gametes.
When fertilization takes place these gametes fuse together to form a diploid which is one equational division.

As from the first option only it is clear that the formation of gametes is both a reduction and an equational process. Two successive equational divisions cannot be during gamete formation as from the parent cell we get haploid cells during gamete formation. A cell starts meiosis in the time of interphase.

Meiosis is a combination of both the processes controlling the chromosome number. If two successive reductions occur there will be error in chromosome number and gamete formation as it will increase the chromosome number. This option is not the correct one.

Prophase of mitosis is shorter than the prophase of meiosis which is more complex. Gamete formation occurs in meiosis not in mitosis. This option also does not go as per the question as from the clearly stated sentence.

Hence, The correct answer is option (A).

Note: Cells arise from pre-existing cells called cell division. Meiosis one is called the reductional division and meiosis two is called the equational division. Conservation of specific chromosome numbers of each species is achieved across generations by meiosis.
It also increases genetic variability in the population of organisms from one generation to the next. Variations are very important for the process of evolution.