17.4) Meiosis
Meiosis: is nuclear division, which gives rise to cells that are genetically different.
- Meiosis takes place in the gonads of animals (eg. the testes and ovaries of mammals)
- The cells formed are gametes (sperm and egg cells in mammals). Gametes are different from other cells because they have half the normal number of chromosomes (they are haploid).
- Meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells. Unlike mitosis, meiosis is a reduction division – the chromosome number is halved from diploid
- As a result of meiosis and fertilisation, the maternal and paternal chromosomes meet in different combinations in the zygotes. Consequently, the offspring will differ from their parents and from each other in a variety of ways.
Mitosis and meiosis compared:
