In plants, which of the following are produced by meiosis? a. haploid gametes b. diploid gametes c. haploid spores d. diploid spores

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question. The question is asking which type of cells are produced by meiosis in plants. Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
2. Step 2: Recall what you know about meiosis. Meiosis is a process that produces haploid cells, which means they have half the number of chromosomes as the original cell. In animals, these haploid cells are gametes (sperm and eggs).
3. Step 3: Consider the options. Option a suggests that haploid gametes are produced, which is true for animals but not for plants. In plants, meiosis produces haploid spores, not gametes. These spores then divide by mitosis to form the gametophyte generation, which produces the gametes.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the other options. Options b and d suggest that diploid gametes and spores are produced. This is incorrect because meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid cells, not diploid.
5. Step 5: Choose the correct answer. Based on our understanding of meiosis and its role in plants, the correct answer is c. haploid spores.

Key Concepts

Meiosis

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse haploid cells. It consists of two sequential divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it produces gametes in animals and spores in plants.

Haploid and Diploid

Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes (n), while diploid cells have two sets (2n). In the context of meiosis, haploid gametes are produced, which are essential for fertilization and the formation of a diploid zygote. Understanding the difference between these two states is fundamental to grasping the outcomes of meiosis.

Spores in Plants

In plants, spores are reproductive cells that can develop into a new organism without fusion with another cell. They are typically haploid and are produced by meiosis in the sporophyte generation. Spores can germinate and grow into gametophytes, which then produce gametes, completing the plant life cycle.