Final answer:
Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four haploid cells containing half the original amount of genetic information. These cells are our sex cells—sperm in males, and eggs in females.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. The primary goal of meiosis is to reduce the chromosome number by half, ensuring that the resulting sex cells (gametes) have half the genetic material of the parent cell. The process involves two consecutive cell divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.
Twice Division: Meiosis consists of two rounds of cell division, resulting in four daughter cells. The first division, meiosis I, separates homologous chromosomes, reducing the chromosome number by half. The second division, meiosis II, resembles mitosis but involves the division of haploid cells.
Four Haploid Cells: At the end of meiosis, four haploid cells are produced. Haploid cells have only one set of chromosomes, which is essential for sexual reproduction. Each of the four cells is genetically unique due to the process of genetic recombination that occurs during meiosis.
Half the Original Amount of Genetic Information: Each of the four resulting cells has half the number of chromosomes as the original diploid cell. This reduction in chromosome number ensures that when gametes combine during fertilization, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid chromosome number.
Sperm and Eggs: In humans, the sex cells produced by meiosis are sperm in males and eggs (or ova) in females. These specialized cells are essential for sexual reproduction, contributing genetic material to form a new individual during fertilization.