The process of two consecutive cell divisions in the diploid progenitors of sex cells. Meiosis results in four rather than two daughter cells, each with a haploid set of chromosomes.

cell division by which eggs and sperm are produced.

This process typically involves germ cells in the generation of gametes. In two successive nuclear and cellular divisions, the chromosome number in the germ cell is reduced to one half (that is from a diploid number that is characteristic of the somatic cell to a haploid number that is found in gametes that contain half the number of chromosomes of the somatic cell).

NUMBER OF CHROMOSOMES IS HALVED, so that the egg and sperm have just one of each chromosome.

When the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the resulting embryo will have a full set of chromosomes once again.

Mitosis

Increase in the number of identical cells

One single division (here below A-E) of the mother cell (m) results in two daughter cells (d)

Number of chromosomes stays the same (should do at least!)

Meiosis

Production of germ cells (eggs and sperm)

Two divisions (here below: meiosis I in A-E and meiosis II in F-H) of the mother cell (meiocyte; m) result in four meiotic products (p)

Number of chromosomes is halved