Meiosis

Definition of Meiosis as it relates to Science, Genetics, Chromosomes

Meiosis is a crucial process in sexual reproduction where diploid cells divide twice to produce haploid gametes, each containing half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This process involves two successive nuclear divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II, which differ mechanistically from mitosis. Meiosis plays a vital role in maintaining genetic diversity by randomly assorting maternal and paternal homologous chromosomes during metaphase I, followed by cross-over events that exchange genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. This results in new combinations of alleles in the gametes, contributing to genetic variability in offspring. Meiosis is thus a fundamental mechanism underpinning genetics and chromosomal inheritance within the broader context of science.

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