Meiosis is best described as which of the following?

• A. A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells.
• B. The process by which DNA is copied into messenger RNA.
• C. The synthesis of proteins from mRNA using ribosomes.
• D. The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes.

Answer: (A)

Meiosis is a division that halves the chromosome number and produces four haploid gamete cells. This reduction in chromosome number is the defining feature that distinguishes meiosis from mitosis, which creates two diploid daughter cells. Additionally, meiosis generates gametes for sexual reproduction, each with half the original number of chromosomes, so that fertilization can restore the diploid state.

The other descriptions refer to different cellular processes: DNA being copied into messenger RNA is transcription, the synthesis of proteins from mRNA is translation, and exchanging genetic material between homologous chromosomes describes crossing over which occurs during meiosis but does not by itself define the whole process.