What is meiosis?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for a definition and explanation of meiosis, a biological process involved in sexual reproduction that reduces the chromosome number in gametes. It involves two rounds of division and is crucial for genetic diversity.
Answer
Meiosis is a cell division process producing four haploid cells with half the original number of chromosomes.
Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes by half, producing four genetically diverse gametes, or sex cells.
Answer for screen readers
Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes by half, producing four genetically diverse gametes, or sex cells.
More Information
Meiosis involves two rounds of division: meiosis I, which separates homologous chromosomes, and meiosis II, which separates sister chromatids. It leads to genetic diversity through independent assortment and crossing over.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing meiosis with mitosis, which is the division that produces identical cells. Another mistake is not accounting for the genetic variability introduced during meiosis.
Sources
- Meiosis - National Human Genome Research Institute - genome.gov
- What is meiosis? - Your Genome - yourgenome.org
- Meiosis | Cell division | Biology (article) - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
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