Sexual reproduction in plants and animals involves: the formation of gametes as a result of meiosis the process of fertilisation.

1. (a)In most species of plants and animals, the cell that is formed as a result of fertilisation is diploid and contains homologous chromosomes. Explain why the cell that is formed as a result of fertilisation is a diploid cell and contains homologous chromosomes.[3]
2. (b)State the name of the stage in meiosis when reduction division occurs and explain a reason for your choice. stage in meiosis reason[2]
3. (c)(i)Microscope slides can be prepared for viewing with a light microscope to show the different stages of meiosis in plant cells. In the male reproductive organ of plants, meiosis takes place in cells known as pollen mother cells. Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2 show photomicrographs of two different stages of meiosis in pollen mother cells from a lily plant, Lilium. [Figure 4.1] [Figure 4.2] Identify the stages of meiosis shown in Fig. 4.1 and Fig. 4.2. Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4.2[2]
4. (c)(ii)The cells formed at the end of meiosis in a Lilium pollen mother cell each have 12 chromosomes. State the number of sister chromatids found in a Lilium pollen mother cell at the start of meiosis.[1]

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