Final answer:
Meiosis ensures that each gamete has only one copy of each homologous chromosome, resulting in haploid cells. The process goes through two divisions, meiosis I and II, ending with four unique haploid daughter cells necessary for sexual reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of meiosis, each gamete formed should only have one copy from each homologous chromosome. This condition is known as being haploid, reflecting that gametes contain only a single set of chromosomes. In the initial phase, called meiosis I, diploid cells divide to produce two haploid cells with each chromosome still consisting of two sister chromatids. The process then progresses to meiosis II, where these sister chromatids are separated, resulting in four unique haploid daughter cells. This separation and reduction of chromosome number during meiosis align with Mendel's law of segregation, ensuring that each gamete carries distinct genetic information with only one allele for each gene.
Sexual reproduction fundamentally relies on meiosis for the formation of haploid gametes, which upon fertilization, form a diploid zygote, restoring the full chromosome number and creating a new organism. This mechanism underpins genetic diversity, with each gamete contributing different alleles.