Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other one is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Meiotic division of one somatic (2n) cell gives rise to four haploid (n) daughter cells.
Reason (R): The reduction in chromosome number of daughter cells is mainly due to a single S phase during the premeiotic interphase followed by two successive nuclear divisions.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Hint:

Pay close attention to words like "somatic" in cell division questions. Somatic cells divide by mitosis; only germ cells undergo meiosis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question evaluates cell division types, specifically comparing the cellular location and molecular steps of mitosis and meiosis.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Assertion (A): Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs exclusively in diploid germline cells (meiocytes/gametocytes) to produce haploid gametes. Somatic cells (body cells), by definition, undergo only mitotic division. Therefore, a somatic cell does not undergo meiotic division. Thus, Assertion (A) is strictly False.

• Reason (R): Meiosis reduces the chromosome number from diploid (\(2\text{n}\)) to haploid (\(\text{n}\)). This reduction occurs because there is only a single round of DNA replication (S phase) in the pre-meiotic interphase, followed by two successive rounds of cell division (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). This statement is biologically True.
Since Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true, the correct option is (D).

Step 4: Final Answer
The correct option is (D) because somatic cells do not undergo meiosis.