What is an example of cell division in which the genetic material is halved?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Meiosis
• C. Binary fission
• D. Budding

Answer: (B)

Halving genetic material happens in a reduction division, where the chromosome number is cut in half to form haploid cells. This is what meiosis does: after DNA is replicated, two rounds of division occur—homologous chromosomes separate in the first division and sister chromatids separate in the second—producing four haploid cells. This reduction is essential for sexual reproduction because when two gametes fuse, the offspring regain the full diploid chromosome number. Meiosis also introduces genetic variety through crossing over and independent assortment.

Other processes keep the chromosome number the same and create genetically identical or near-identical cells: mitosis splits a cell to form two diploid, identical daughter cells; binary fission in bacteria duplicates the genome and divides without reducing the chromosome count; budding produces new individuals from a growth on the parent, typically without halving the chromosomes.