In: Biology
What would happen to a sexually reproducing organism if there were no reduction in chromosome number during meiotic division? Give an example
If there were no reduction in chromosome number during meiotic division, then during reproduction it will give rise to a completely different species as the chromosome number of the offspring will be different from its parents.
For an example, suppose a species A, that can reproduce sexually and whose chromosome number is 12, undergoes meiosis such that the gametes have a chromosome number of 6 in one parent. But since the other parent will not reduce chromosome number after meiosis the chromosome number at the end of meiosis remains 12. During mating, and sexual reproduction, the gametes from both parents will fuse to give a zygote whose chromosome number will be 18 (6+12). This zygote will be completely different from both of the parents and might not be viable.