Meiosis: Reduction Division and Gamete Formation

This page focuses on meiosis, contrasting it with mitosis and explaining its role in sexual reproduction.

Definition: Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces four haploid gametes from one diploid cell, occurring only in the testes and ovaries.

The key difference between mitosis and meiosis is highlighted:

Highlight: While mitosis produces two identical diploid cells, meiosis results in four haploid cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. This is known as reduction division.

The page explains that human sex cells (gametes) contain one chromosome from each of the 23 pairs found in normal body cells. This information is crucial for understanding chromosomes and genetic inheritance.

Example: An adult female produces ova (egg cells) with 23 chromosomes, while an adult male produces sperm cells, also with 23 chromosomes. When these gametes combine during fertilization, they restore the full complement of 46 chromosomes in the resulting zygote.

This section effectively illustrates the difference between mitosis and meiosis, particularly in terms of their end products and their roles in the body. It provides essential knowledge for comprehending genetic inheritance and the formation of unique individuals through sexual reproduction.

The visual representation of gamete formation in males and females helps students grasp the concept of haploid cell production and its significance in genetic diversity.