Which statement is true about meiosis in animal cells?

• A. It produces diploid gametes
• B. It occurs during mitosis
• C. It is a form of cellular respiration
• D. It produces haploid gametes

Answer: (D)

Meiosis in animal cells is the division that halves the chromosome number to form gametes with a single set of chromosomes. In animals, these gametes are sperm and eggs, and they are haploid (n). This reduction is essential because when a sperm and egg unite during fertilization, the offspring gain a full diploid chromosome set again. Meiosis includes two rounds of division after DNA duplication, producing four haploid cells, and it also promotes genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment. Therefore, the statement that meiosis produces haploid gametes is true; the other descriptions—producing diploid gametes, occurring during mitosis, or being a form of cellular respiration—do not fit because meiosis reduces chromosome number, is a separate process from mitosis, and is not a metabolic respiration process.