Question

If during the initiation of meiosis there is 16 pg of DNA in a gametocyte. Then the amount of DNA present in the gamete will be

• A. 8 pg
• B. 16 pg
• C. 4 pg
• D. 32 pg

Answer 1

The correct option is A 8 pg

The typical cell cycle comprises of interphase and mitotic phase (M phase). The interphase is divided into first growth phase (G${}_1$ phase), synthesis phase (S phase) and second growth phase (G${}_2$ phase). The DNA replication occurs during synthesis or S phase. Thus, DNA amount doubles during S phase. Further, meiosis is the reductional division in which the chromosome number is reduced to one half. Thus, if a meiocyte (gametocyte) contains 16 picogram of DNA the haploid gametes produced after meiosis will contain 8 picogram of DNA and half the number of chromosomes as compared to the meiocyte (gametocyte).