Final answer:
Meiosis produces four haploid genetically unique daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, essential for sexual reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meiosis is a special form of cell division that results in the production of haploid daughter cells. This process takes place only in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, and it involves two rounds of cellular division. The end result of meiosis is the creation of four genetically unique daughter cells, each containing half of the original genetic material from the parental cell. For example, in human cells, which have 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs, the cells produced by meiosis will have only 23 chromosomes, making them suitable to become gametes.
Each of these haploid daughter cells generated through meiosis carries distinct genetic information due to the processes of crossover and random alignment of chromosomes that occur during the meiotic divisions. This genetic variation is essential for sexual reproduction, permitting the fusion of an egg and sperm to produce a genetically unique diploid zygote. In summary, meiosis is the nuclear division that forms four haploid cells, each with half as much DNA as the parent cell, contributing to the diversity necessary for evolution and survival of species.