Question

Meiosis is often called reduction division.

(a) Identify the primary purpose of meiosis and explain the term reduction division.
(b) Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis.

Answer 1

Meiosis is a process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half and produces sex cells. It is often called reduction division because it reduces the ploidy level from diploid to haploid. Meiosis differs from mitosis in the number of daughter cells produced and the genetic diversity of the daughter cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Meiosis is a process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half and produces sex cells, or gametes. It is often called reduction division because during meiosis I, the ploidy level is reduced from diploid to haploid, resulting in genetically unique haploid cells.

Meiosis differs from mitosis as it produces four genetically different haploid daughter cells, while mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.