Lesson 3.3.2

3.3.2 Meiosis and genetic variation Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield), Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.3.2, Meiosis and genetic variation: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BI0), Unit 3: Voice of the Genome, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the net result of meiosis?

    • Two diploid cells identical to the parent
    • Four haploid gametes or spores
    • One haploid cell from one diploid cell
    • Four diploid cells with the same chromosome number

  2. When does independent assortment of chromosomes occur?

    • Anaphase of mitosis
    • Cytokinesis in prokaryotes
    • Interphase, when DNA replicates
    • Metaphase I and anaphase I, when homologous pairs line up and separate at random

  3. When does crossing over occur?

    • Prophase I, between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes
    • Anaphase II, between chromosomes of different species
    • Telophase II, between sister chromatids
    • Interphase, between identical copies of DNA

  4. For 23 pairs of chromosomes, how many different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes can a gamete receive by independent assortment alone?

    • 2^23, about 8.4 million
    • 23 x 2 = 46
    • 23 factorial
    • 2 x 23 = 46 only

  5. A diploid organism has 4 pairs of chromosomes. How many different chromosome combinations can its gametes receive by independent assortment alone?

    • 256
    • 8
    • 4
    • 16

  6. A cell with 2n = 6 completes meiosis. How many chromosomes are present in each daughter cell?

    • 2
    • 6
    • 3
    • 12

  7. Which feature of meiosis explains why offspring differ from their parents?

    • The gametes retain the entire nucleus of the parent
    • Each gamete is diploid and so carries every allele
    • Independent assortment and crossing over produce genetically different gametes
    • Mitosis copies chromosomes without any change

  8. What is the result of meiosis I?

    • One haploid cell with all the chromatids
    • Two haploid cells, each with chromosomes made of two chromatids
    • Four haploid cells, each with single-chromatid chromosomes
    • Two diploid cells, each with single-chromatid chromosomes

  9. What are homologous chromosomes?

    • Chromosomes that came from the same parent
    • Pairs of chromosomes carrying the same genes at the same loci, one from each parent
    • Identical copies created by DNA replication
    • Chromosomes that carry only sex-linked genes

  10. A mutation stops homologous pairs separating during meiosis I. What is a likely outcome?

    • No change in chromosome number in any gamete
    • Gametes that all carry the normal chromosome number
    • Gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers, such as aneuploidy
    • Immediate mitosis of the gametes

  11. Two genes are 40 map units apart on the same chromosome. What proportion of gametes is expected to be recombinant?

    • 20%
    • 4%
    • 40%
    • 80%

  12. Why does crossing over increase genetic variation?

    • It creates identical sister chromatids
    • It creates new combinations of alleles on the same chromosome
    • It converts diploid cells into haploid cells
    • It doubles the number of chromosomes in the cell

  13. Why does random fertilisation add to genetic variation?

    • Any sperm can fuse with any egg, multiplying the variation generated by meiosis
    • Fertilisation halves the number of chromosomes in the zygote
    • Fertilisation is always between identical twins
    • Only the largest sperm can fertilise the egg

  14. A cell with 2n = 8 has just replicated its DNA. How many chromatids are present at the start of meiosis I?

    • 4
    • 8
    • 32
    • 16

  15. Meiosis is an example of which type of cell division?

    • Vegetative propagation
    • Binary fission
    • Budding
    • Reduction division

  16. What is the correct order of the phases of meiosis I?

    • Prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I
    • Telophase I, anaphase I, metaphase I, prophase I
    • Anaphase I, prophase I, metaphase I, telophase I
    • Metaphase I, prophase I, telophase I, anaphase I

  17. Which statement about gamete production in males and females is correct?

    • Meiosis in males produces four functional sperm
    • Meiosis produces four functional eggs in both sexes
    • Meiosis produces one sperm and three eggs in females
    • Meiosis occurs only in males

  18. An individual is heterozygous for three genes on different chromosomes. How many genetically distinct gametes can be formed by independent assortment alone?

    • 6
    • 3
    • 27
    • 8

  19. In prophase I, crossing over occurs between two chromatids of a homologous pair. What is expected in the resulting gametes?

    • All gametes are identical to the parent cell
    • Gametes contain no genes at all
    • All gametes are diploid
    • Some gametes carry recombinant chromosomes with new allele combinations

  20. Which process restores the diploid chromosome number?

    • Fertilisation
    • Mitosis
    • Crossing over
    • Binary fission

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