Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Practice Test

Which type of cell is produced directly from meiosis?

1. Muscle cell

2. Egg and sperm

3. Skin cell

4. Red blood cell

The correct answer is: Egg and sperm

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproductive organisms, primarily to produce gametes, which are the reproductive cells essential for sexual reproduction. In humans and many other organisms, meiosis results in the formation of egg (ova) and sperm cells, both of which are haploid cells containing half the genetic material compared to somatic (body) cells. During meiosis, a single diploid (2n) cell undergoes two rounds of division, resulting in four non-identical haploid cells. These gametes are crucial because they combine during fertilization to restore the diploid state in the resulting zygote. This process ensures genetic diversity through recombination and independent assortment of chromosomes. In contrast, the other types of cells listed—muscle cells, skin cells, and red blood cells—are produced through a different process known as mitosis, which is responsible for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. Mitosis results in two identical diploid cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell. Therefore, the emphasis on gamete formation through meiosis directly aligns with the characteristics of egg and sperm production.