Which statement best distinguishes meiosis from mitosis?

• A. Meiosis yields four genetically different haploid cells; mitosis yields two genetically identical diploid cells
• B. Meiosis yields two genetically identical diploid cells
• C. Mitosis yields four haploid cells
• D. Mitosis duplicates DNA to form duplicate chromosomes

Answer: (A)

Meiosis and mitosis differ in how they handle chromosome number and genetic variation in the daughter cells. In meiosis, after DNA is replicated, there are two successive divisions that cut the chromosome number in half, producing four daughter cells that are haploid. Those cells are usually genetically different from each other because of crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis I. In contrast, mitosis involves a single division after DNA replication, yielding two daughter cells that are diploid and genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell.

The statement that best distinguishes them is that meiosis yields four genetically different haploid cells, while mitosis yields two genetically identical diploid cells. Other descriptions miss the core differences: one suggests meiosis makes two identical diploid cells, another says mitosis makes four haploid cells, and a third focuses on DNA duplication without addressing the resulting number and identity of daughter cells.