NEETZoologyHuman Reproduction
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Secondary spermatocytes have half the number of chromosomes compared to primary spermatocytes. Reason (R): Secondary spermatocytes are formed by the completion of the second meiotic division. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true but (R) is false
- D(A) is false but (R) is true
Correct answer
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
Step-by-step solution
Primary spermatocytes are diploid ( 2n=46 ) and undergo the first meiotic division (reduction division) to form two equal, haploid cells called secondary spermatocytes ( n=23 ). Therefore, secondary spermatocytes have half the number of chromosomes compared to primary spermatocytes, making the Assertion true. The Reason is false because secondary spermatocytes are formed by the completion of the first meiotic division, not the second. It is the second meiotic division that occurs in secondary spermatocytes to produ