[Campbell Biology P.308] Why is it stated that haploid cells cannot undergo meiosis? | Practice Question

Why is it stated that haploid cells cannot undergo meiosis?

  • A: Because they cannot duplicate their DNA during interphase.
  • B: Because they lack homologous chromosomes to be paired and separated during Meiosis I.
  • C: Because their chromosomes consist of only a single chromatid.
  • D: Because they are only found in organisms that reproduce asexually.

Explanation

The text states that meiosis cannot further reduce the chromosome number of a haploid cell. The mechanism for this is that Meiosis I requires the pairing and subsequent separation of homologous chromosomes. A haploid cell, by definition, has only one of each type of chromosome and therefore lacks homologous pairs to separate.