Meiosis is defined as a two stage type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that result in gametes with half the chromosome number of the original cell. The haploid cells, with one half of the original chromosomes, contain the genetic material that will be passed on to potential offspring. [B]
During the first miotic division, the four steps of cell division take place. (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase) Here, the homologous chromosomes separate. The two resulting cells then divide again and undergo Meiosis II, a similar process that creates a net yield of four daughter cells, each with a haploid number of chromosomes. In the second division, the sister chromatids separate from each other. [A]
This image depicts the chromosome separation that occurs during meiosis.
Meiosis is often confused with mitosis, in which the chromosome number is conserved. Mitosis only has one division, and the resulting cells are diploid. Diploid cells can lead to the growth and repair within organisms, whereas meiosis produced cells used solely in reproduction. [A]
