Q.89 A cell in Gl phase has 16 chromosomes. The total number of chromatids that would be found per cell
during Metaphase II of meiosis are ____

A cell in G1 phase with 16 chromosomes contains 16 chromosomes and 16 chromatids before DNA replication. During Metaphase II of meiosis, each of the two daughter cells from meiosis I has 16 chromosomes, each consisting of 2 sister chromatids, resulting in a total of 32 chromatids per cell.​

Meiosis Stages Overview

Meiosis reduces chromosome number by half through two divisions. In G1 phase, chromosomes are unreplicated (1 chromatid each). S phase duplicates DNA, creating sister chromatids.​

Meiosis I separates homologous pairs, yielding two haploid cells with replicated chromosomes. Meiosis II resembles mitosis, separating sister chromatids.​

Calculation for 16-Chromosome Cell

Starting with 16 chromosomes in G1 (diploid, 2n=16), post-S phase: 16 chromosomes, 32 chromatids. Meiosis I produces two cells with 16 chromosomes (8 pairs separated), each with 2 chromatids.​

At Metaphase II, chromosomes align at the equator with sister chromatids intact. Thus, per cell: 16 chromosomes × 2 chromatids = 32 chromatids.​

Common Options Explained

• 16 chromatids: Incorrect; this matches G1 (unreplicated) or post-meiosis II products, not Metaphase II.​

• 32 chromatids: Correct; each of 16 haploid chromosomes has 2 sister chromatids.​

• 64 chromatids: Incorrect; this reflects pre-meiosis I (G2/mitosis metaphase) with 16 chromosomes × 4 chromatids total, but not haploid Metaphase II.​