AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The other type of cell division, meiosis, ensures that humans have the same number of chromosomes in each generation. It is a two-step process that reduces the chromosome number by half-from 46 to 23-to form sperm and egg cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -Because meiosis creates cells that are destined to become gametes (or reproductive cells), this reduction in chromosome number is critical-without it, the union of two gametes during fertilization would result in offspring with twice the normal number of chromosomes!

Detailed explanation-3: -Meiosis is a process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half and produces sex cells, or gametes. Meiosis is divided into two parts: Meiosis I and Meiosis II.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis I is a unique cell division that occurs only in germ cells; meiosis II is similar to a mitotic division. Before germ cells enter meiosis, they are generally diploid, meaning that they have two homologous copies of each chromosome.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mitosis is the division of a cell into two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. Meiosis is the division of a germ cell into four sex cells (e.g. egg or sperm), each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.