AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Specifically, meiosis creates new combinations of genetic material in each of the four daughter cells. These new combinations result from the exchange of DNA between paired chromosomes. Such exchange means that the gametes produced through meiosis exhibit an amazing range of genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Like mitosis, meiosis is a process of nuclear division. However, where mitosis leads to an exact copy of the chromosomes, meiosis results in producing new cells with exactly half the DNA as the parent cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -The purpose of meiosis is to reduce the normal diploid cells (2 copies of each chromosome / cell) to haploid cells, called gametes (1 copy of each chromosome per cell). In humans, these special haploid cells resulting from meiosis are eggs (female) or sperm (male). In yeast cells, they are spores.

Detailed explanation-4: -Meiosis is specific to gamete producing cells in the gonads. Meiosis begins with a diploid cell and ends with four haploid cells. These cells eventually differentiate into mature sperm or egg cells. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate, and haploid cells form that have only one chromosome from each pair.