Conjugation between two Paramecia produces ______________ total daughter cells.
a. 2
b. 4
c. 8
d. 16

The process oftransfer of genes from one cell to another via a conjugation tube is termed conjugation. In this, direct contact takes place between the two cells.

In paramecium, sexual reproduction takes place via the process of conjugation. In the process,two paramecia come in contact and exchange micronuclei following many nuclear divisions, and the formation of four new paramecia takes place by each of the conjugative cells. Therefore, the daughter cells produced by the two paramecia via the process of conjugation cannot be2, 4, or 16.

Thus, the options a, b, and d are incorrect.

The two paramecia come in contact with each other via Conjugation Bridge. After coming in contact with each other four haploid micronuclei are produced by the process ofmeiosis, three of which degenerate. The left micronucleus goes through the process of mitosis giving rise to two haploid micronuclei in each cell. Between the cells, one of the micronuclei gets exchanged and the cells move apart.

The haploid micronuclei in each of the cell combine to produce a diploid pre-micronucleus that differentiates three times by the process of mitosis and give rise to eight copies. Of these, four of the pre-micronuclei give rise to full-fledged micronuclei, and the left four turn into themacronuclei. Each of the conjugative cells is then differentiated to give rise to four novel paramecia. Therefore, the sum of eight daughter cells is generated in the process.

Hence, the correct answer isoption c.