Question

During the process of conjugation in Paramecium, how many daughter Paramecia are formed from 2 parents?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 8
• D. 16

Hint:

A common mistake is to confuse conjugation with binary fission. Remember, conjugation is for genetic recombination, not for reproduction. The reproduction (multiplication) happens via binary fission {after} conjugation is complete. Each of the two parents gives rise to four offspring, making a total of eight.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Conjugation in {Paramecium} is a form of sexual reproduction. It is crucial to understand that conjugation itself is the process of genetic exchange between two individuals (conjugants), not immediate cell division. The increase in population number occurs after the conjugants separate.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Pairing and Exchange: Two parent {Paramecia} come together and exchange haploid micronuclei.
2. Separation: After the exchange, the two {Paramecia} separate. They are now called exconjugants. Each exconjugant contains a diploid zygote nucleus (synkaryon) which holds a new combination of genetic material.
3. Nuclear Reorganization: Inside each exconjugant, the old macronucleus degenerates, and the new zygote nucleus divides mitotically multiple times to form new micronuclei and macronuclei.
4. Cell Division (Fission): Following this reorganization, each of the two exconjugants undergoes two successive rounds of binary fission to produce four daughter cells.
5. Calculation: Since there are 2 exconjugants, and each produces 4 daughter cells, the total number of daughter {Paramecia} formed is:
\[ \text{Total daughters} = (\text{Number of exconjugants}) \times (\text{Daughters per exconjugant}) \] \[ \text{Total daughters} = 2 \times 4 = 8 \]
Step 3: Final Answer:
From the initial two parent cells, a total of 8 daughter cells are produced after conjugation and subsequent fissions. Therefore, option (C) is correct.