A diploid cell contains four pairs of homologous chromosomes

A diploid cell contains four pairs of homologous chromosomes designated C1 and C2, M1 and M2, S1 and S2, and W1 and W2. Predict the number of different haploid cells that could be produced by meiosis.

Solution

Meiosis is also referred to as the reduction division as it is the type of cell division that occurs in the germ cells or the sex cells. as a result of meiosis the diploid number of chromosomes are reduced to haploid number which means 2n chromosomes are reduced to n number of chromosomes.This occurs during the formation of germ cells as the gametes formed namely the sperm and the egg contribute to the formation of the gamete . Thus two haploid gametes once again fertilize and result in diploid zygote.

As the diploid cell four pairs of homologus chromosomes C1 and C2, M1 and M2, S1 and S2, and W1 and W2 the possible combination are  C1/C2 , M1/M2 , S1/S2,W1/W2

. The number of possible haploid cells that could be produced are 8.no crossing over occurs.after second meiotic division the possible combinations are C1/M1/S1/W1,C1/M2/S1/W1,C2/M2/S1/W1,C1/M1/S1/W1,C1/M2S1/W1,C1/M1/S2/W1,,C1/M1/S2/W2,,C1/M2/S1/W2.