AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Whereas somatic cells undergo mitosis to proliferate, the germ cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid gametes (the sperm and the egg). The development of a new progeny organism is then initiated by the fusion of these gametes at fertilization.

Detailed explanation-2: -Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells. This process is required to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction.

Detailed explanation-3: -During meiosis, the chromosomes are duplicated, shuffled and separated, which ensures that each gamete produced is unique.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis is necessary for sexual reproduction to occur, as it results in the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs).

Detailed explanation-5: -Mitosis produces two diploid (2n) somatic cells that are genetically identical to each other and the original parent cell, whereas meiosis produces four haploid (n) gametes that are genetically unique from each other and the original parent (germ) cell.