What would be the ploidy of the cells of tetrad

Options

A. Haploid
B. Diploid
C. Polyploid
D. Triploid

Answer

To determine the ploidy of the cells of a tetrad, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the term "tetrad"
A tetrad refers to a structure formed during meiosis, specifically in the process of gamete formation. In plants, this often occurs in pollen mother cells.

**Hint:** Remember that a tetrad is associated with meiosis and involves the pairing of homologous chromosomes.

### Step 2: Identify the ploidy of the parent cell
In flowering plants, the pollen mother cells are typically diploid (2n), meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes.

**Hint:** Recall that diploid cells have two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

### Step 3: Recognize the process of meiosis
During meiosis, a diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division (meiosis I and meiosis II), resulting in the formation of four haploid cells. This is crucial for sexual reproduction as it ensures genetic diversity.

**Hint:** Meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, transforming diploid cells into haploid cells.

### Step 4: Determine the ploidy of the resulting cells
After meiosis, the cells that form the tetrad are haploid (n), meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes.

**Hint:** Focus on the outcome of meiosis: it always results in haploid cells from a diploid parent.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Therefore, the ploidy of the cells of a tetrad is haploid.

**Final Answer:** The ploidy of the cells of the tetrad is haploid (n).

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