A meiocyte is observed at the G ₁ phase with 20 chromosomes and a DNA content of 2 C . What will be the chromosome number and DNA content per cell at the end of Meiosis I?

Step-by-step solution

In a meiocyte, the cell cycle begins with the G ₁ phase where the chromosome number is 20 ( 2n ) and the DNA content is 2 C . During the S phase, DNA replication occurs, doubling the DNA content to 4 C , while the chromosome number remains 20 . Meiosis I is a reductional division where homologous chromosomes separate into two daughter cells. This halves the chromosome number to 10 ( n ) per cell. The total DNA content ( 4 C ) is also distributed equally between the two daughter cells, resulting in 2 C of DNA per ce