Which is the antithesis of meiosis

Options

A. Mitosis
B. Amitosis
C. Budding and sporulation
D. Fertilization

Answer

To determine the antithesis of meiosis, we need to understand what meiosis is and what it entails. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand Meiosis
Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell. This process is essential for sexual reproduction, as it produces gametes (sperm and eggs).

### Step 2: Define Antithesis
The term "antithesis" refers to something that is the opposite or contrary to another concept. In this context, we are looking for a process that is the opposite of meiosis.

### Step 3: Analyze the Options
We have the following options to consider:
1. Mitosis
2. Amitosis
3. Budding
4. Sporulation
5. Fertilization

### Step 4: Evaluate Each Option
- **Mitosis**: This process maintains the chromosome number (2N to 2N) and is not a reduction division, so it is not the antithesis of meiosis.

- **Amitosis**: This is a simpler form of cell division that does not involve the reduction of chromosome numbers, similar to mitosis, and is therefore not the antithesis of meiosis.

- **Budding**: This is a form of asexual reproduction and does not involve a change in chromosome number, making it irrelevant to meiosis.

- **Sporulation**: This is a process of asexual reproduction that produces spores, which may undergo meiosis, but it is not the direct opposite of meiosis.

- **Fertilization**: This process involves the fusion of two gametes (each haploid, n + n) to form a diploid zygote (2N). This is the opposite of meiosis, which reduces the chromosome number.

### Step 5: Conclusion
The correct answer is **Fertilization** because it represents the process that restores the diploid chromosome number after meiosis has reduced it.

### Final Answer
The antithesis of meiosis is **Fertilization**.

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