Which of the following best summarizes the outcome of meiotic division?

The correct answer is that one diploid cell becomes four haploid cells. This outcome highlights the fundamental process of meiosis, which involves two rounds of cell division, known as meiosis I and meiosis II.

During meiosis, a single diploid cell, which contains two sets of chromosomes, undergoes replication and then divides twice. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated into two daughter cells, each of which still contains a double set of chromosomes (but is now referred to as haploid). Following this, meiosis II occurs, where each of those haploid cells divides again, separating the sister chromatids. The end result is four genetically distinct haploid cells, each containing one set of chromosomes.

This process is critical for sexual reproduction, as these haploid cells develop into gametes (sperm and egg cells), ensuring that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote restores the diploid chromosome number characteristic of the species. The generation of genetic diversity during meiosis further exemplifies its importance in evolution and adaptation.