(a) In sexual reproduction, meiosis occurs to produce haploid gametes from a diploid cell.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] haploid is one (complete) set of chromosomes ; diploid is two (complete) sets of chromosomes ; if only comparative statement = max 1 e.g. haploid is n chromosomes and diploid is 2n haploid is half the number of chromosomes as diploid / AW
2. [4] prophase I chromosomes / chromatin, condense / shorten / fatten I DNA or homologous chromosomes pair up / bivalents form or crossing over / synapsis / chiasmata formation ; metaphase I homologous (pairs of) chromosomes / bivalents, line up on the, equator/metaphase plate or random / independent, assortment, of homologous (pairs of) chromosomes / bivalents ; anaphase I chromosome(s) / one of each pair of chromosomes, moves (to pole / end of cell) ; telophase I chromosomes reach the opposite, poles / centrosomes / centrioles / end of cell or chromosomes decondense / chromatin formation / chromosomes become diffuse;
3. [1] cytokinesis ;