Carbohydrate is what you are looking for
Most likely the students are using a crude measurement of time, like a stopwatch. They would get the best results with a scientific apparatus that uses a computer and optical sensors. Even recording their dropped objects with a video camera and analyzing the video would give more consistent results. Results will also vary greatly if different people are taking the time measures instead of one person making all measurements.
Answer:
The best description of the function of meiosis is that <em>it conserves chromosome number, produces haploid cells.</em>