Question

You have been presented with the following image of a cell from an organism that is known to have a diploid number of 8 (i.e., 2n = 8). What stage of either mitosis or meiosis is this cell currently in? Clearly explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

The cell is in Anaphase II of Meiosis.

The process of meiosis consists of two cellular divisions as Meiosis I &II. In each of these phases, there is a prophase, a metaphase, and anaphase and a telophase. Homologous chromosomes separate during Meiosis I but, the sister chromatids of each chromosome stay connected. So, Meiosis I begin with one diploid parent (2n =8) cell and ends with two haploid daughter cells (n=4). During meiosis II, the sister chromatids within the two daughter cells separate as in Mitosis.

Meiosis II begins with two haploid cells and ends with four haploid daughter cells. In Prophase II, chromosomes condense. The sister chromatids are aligned at the equator of the cell in Metaphase II. The sister chromatids are pulled apart by the kinetochore microtubules in Anaphase II (As in the given image). Cytokinesis separates the two cells into four unique haploid cells in Anaphase II.