meiosis

what is meiosis?

type of cell division that produces four genetically different haploid daughter cells
from one diploid parent cell
only happens in gametes-producing cells

process of meiosis

1. before the parent cell divides, each chromosome is copied

2. the parent cell divides in two and then in two again

3. four daughter cells are produced. each with half of the number of chromosomes as the parent cell

4. the daughter cells are genetically different (because they contain different combinations of genetic information) haploid cells, which can develop into gametes

mitosis vs mitosis in genetics

mitosis produces genetically identical daughter cells
meiosis produces genetically different daughter cells

explain why meiosis is important for maintaining the correct chromosome number across generations

1. meiosis halves the chromosomes number, producing haploid gametes with 23 chromosomes each.

2. during fertilisation, two gametes fuse to restore the diploid chromosomes number of 46, maintaining the chromosome number across generations