Meiosis (2024)

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Meiosis (1)

Meiosis (2)

updated: April 3, 2024

Definition

Meiosis is a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes (the sex cells, or egg and sperm). In humans, body (or somatic) cells are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent). To maintain this state, the egg and sperm that unite during fertilization must be haploid, with a single set of chromosomes. During meiosis, each diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division to yield four haploid daughter cells — the gametes.

Meiosis (3)

Narration

Meiosis. Humans have 46 chromosomes in almost every cell, 23 that came from one of our parents and 23 very similar chromosomes that came from the other one of our parents. It is really important to have the right number of chromosomes in a cell. If a cell has extra chromosomes or is missing a chromosome, that can have very substantial impacts on how it functions. We can think of meiosis as a way cells very carefully count and divide their chromosomes so that each gamete, each egg or sperm, has exactly 23 chromosomes. Then when an egg with its 23 chromosomes is fertilized by a sperm with its 23 chromosomes, the resulting fertilized egg has exactly 46 chromosomes. And a new human that grows from that fertilized egg will have 46 chromosomes in all of its cells.

Meiosis (4)

Daniel A. Gilchrist, Ph.D.

Program Director

Division of Genome Sciences

Meiosis (2024)

FAQs

Meiosis? ›

Definition. 00:00. Meiosis is a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes (the sex cells, or egg and sperm). In humans, body (or somatic) cells are diploid

diploid
Diploid is a term that refers to the presence of two complete sets of chromosomes in an organism's cells, with each parent contributing a chromosome to each pair.
https://www.genome.gov › genetics-glossary › Diploid
, containing two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent).

What is meiosis in simple terms? ›

Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information. During meiosis one cell divides twice to form four daughter cells. These four daughter cells only have half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell – they are haploid.

What happens in meiosis? ›

During meiosis I, hom*ologous chromosomes first pair with one another and then segregate to different daughter cells. Sister chromatids remain together, so completion of meiosis I results in the formation of daughter cells containing a single member of each chromosome pair (consisting of two sister chromatids).

What are the differences between mitosis and meiosis? ›

What's the Difference? Mitosis produces two genetically identical “daughter” cells from a single “parent” cell, whereas meiosis produces cells that are genetically unique from the parent and contain only half as much DNA. Most cells in the body regularly go through mitosis, but some do so more often than others.

What is mitosis easy definition? ›

(my-TOH-sis) The process by which a single parent cell divides to make two new daughter cells. Each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes from the parent cell. This process allows the body to grow and replace cells.

What is meiosis examples? ›

In some cases, meiosis does produce four functional gametes: for instance, meiosis during spermatogenesis, or sperm production, in human males yields four sperm cells. However, when meiosis takes place during oogenesis, egg cell production, in human females, only one functional egg cell is made.

What is the main purpose of meiosis? ›

The purpose of meiosis is to create gametes for sexual production with half the genetic material of the parent cells. In meiosis, four haploid daughter cells containing half as many chromosomes as the parent cell are created. These germ cells can then join during sexual reproduction to produce a diploid zygote.

What is meiosis and where does it happen simple? ›

Purpose: Meiosis is a special version of cell division that occurs only in the testes and ovaries; the organs that produce the male and female reproductive cells; the sperm and eggs. Why is this different? Ordinary body cells have a complete set of chromosomes.

Is meiosis asexual? ›

Meiosis does not occur during asexual reproduction. Meiosis is the process of producing gametes (eggs and sperm). Mitosis, on the other hand, is simply the process of cell division. This is the process that animals are going through during regeneration.

What is the end result of meiosis? ›

In the end, four haploid daughter cells are produced, that is, they contain half the number of chromosomes present in the parent cell. Thus, four different daughter cells are produced at the end of meiosis.

What is mitosis and meiosis for dummies? ›

Meiosis is the type of cell division that creates egg and sperm cells. Mitosis is a fundamental process for life. During mitosis, a cell duplicates all of its contents, including its chromosomes, and splits to form two identical daughter cells.

What is the main difference between meiosis and meiosis? ›

So, the main difference between Meiosis I and Meiosis II is that Meiosis I is a reductional division where the number of chromosomes is halved, while Meiosis II is an equational division where the number of chromosomes remains the same.

Which best explains meiosis? ›

The statement that best describes meiosis is C. separation of sister chromatids. During meiosis, the sister chromatids are pulled away from each other and eventually end up in separate haploid cells. Though sister chromatids are similar, they are not hom*ologous as the cross-over of genes happens in meiosis.

What is unique about meiosis? ›

Meiosis reduces a cell's chromosome number by half, while also creating new allele combinations distributed across daughter cells through segregation and recombination. This genetic reshuffling reduces genetic associations within and between loci and is thought to be the basis of the success of sexual reproduction.

What is meiosis for 7th grade? ›

Meiosis occurs in reproductive cells. It is the process in which cells divide to form sperm cells in males and egg cells in females. The sperm cell holds half of the chromosomes necessary for humans. The egg cell holds the other half.

What is meiosis and mitosis in simple words? ›

Meiosis is the type of cell division that creates egg and sperm cells. Mitosis is a fundamental process for life. During mitosis, a cell duplicates all of its contents, including its chromosomes, and splits to form two identical daughter cells.

Why is meiosis important in simple terms? ›

Meiosis is important because it ensures that all organisms produced via sexual reproduction contain the correct number of chromosomes. Meiosis also produces genetic variation by way of the process of recombination.

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