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AP®BiologyCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 5: HeredityMeiosis & Genetic Diversity

Meiosis & Genetic Diversity (College Board AP® Biology): Exam Questions

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Meiosis & Genetic Diversity

1
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In onion plants, Allium cepa, the diploid number is 16, meaning it has 8 homologous pairs of chromosomes.

After meiosis occurs, which of the following is the correct number of different chromosomal combinations that can result from independent assortment alone?

  • 256

  • 128

  •  65 536

  • 64

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2
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In an animal species, gametes are produced through meiosis. During metaphase I, homologous chromosomes align randomly along the spindle equator.

This random alignment results in which of the following?

  • crossing over

  • independent assortment

  •  mutation

  • genetic drift

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3
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In a laboratory, a researcher is studying meiosis in animal cells. She observes the chromosomes condensing and the nuclear envelope breaking down, with centrioles moving to opposite poles.

Which stage of meiosis is the researcher most likely observing?

  • prophase I

  • metaphase II

  • telophase I

  •  cytokinesis

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4
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Figure 1 shows a specific stage of meiosis characterized by the arrangement of chromosomes.

Diagram illustrating a cell in metaphase with duplicated chromosomes separating, connected by spindles in an oval cell structure.
Figure 1. A cell moving through meiosis.

Which of the following statements is true regarding the events occurring during this stage of meiosis?

  • The centromeres of homologous chromosomes are pulled apart, leading to the separation of sister chromatids.

  • The genetic variability among the resulting gametes is influenced by the independent assortment of chromosomes during this stage.

  • DNA replication occurs to ensure each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.

  • Each chromosome consists of two non-identical sister chromatids due to prior crossing over.

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5
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Scientists hypothesized that a group of genetically diverse marine organisms would show greater reproductive success in a rapidly changing environments than their genetically uniform relatives.

Which of the following best explains how meiosis could contribute to the evolutionary success of this population?

  • Meiosis results in genetically diverse offspring, increasing the chance that some individuals have advantageous traits in changing environments.

  • Meiosis allows offspring to inherit an exact copy of the parent genes, preserving favorable traits for future generations.

  • Meiosis eliminates harmful mutations, ensuring that only the strongest individuals survive.

  • Meiosis increases the speed of reproduction, allowing populations to expand rapidly in response to environmental change.

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