What is Meiosis? Definition, Meaning & Example
The process of cell division that produces four non-identical haploid sex cells from one diploid parent cell.
TL;DR: The process of cell division that produces four non-identical haploid sex cells from one diploid parent cell.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Meiosis: The process of cell division that produces four non-identical haploid sex cells from one diploid parent cell.
Explanation
Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction and creates gametes with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It involves two sequential divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II, and includes a crossing over process that creates genetic variation. In humans, meiosis produces sperm cells in males and egg cells in females. The reduction in chromosome number ensures that when sperm and egg fuse during fertilization, the offspring has the correct chromosome number.
Example
A human sperm cell has 23 chromosomes, and an egg cell has 23 chromosomes. When they fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has 46 chromosomes, the normal number for human cells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do sex cells have half the number of chromosomes?
Sex cells have half the chromosomes so that when two of them combine during fertilization, the offspring has the correct full number of chromosomes.
What is crossing over and why does it matter?
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, which creates genetic variation in offspring and contributes to diversity in populations.
More Biology Terms
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →