CBSENEETClass 11

What is meiosis?

Answer

Meiosis is a type of cell division in which one parent cell divides to form four daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the parent.

The working

Definition

Meiosis is reductional division that halves the chromosome number, producing four haploid cells from one diploid cell.

Two divisions

It involves two successive divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II, but DNA replicates only once.

Where it occurs

It takes place in reproductive cells to form gametes such as sperm and egg.

Significance

Meiosis keeps chromosome number constant across generations and introduces variation through crossing over.

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