The Role of Meiosis Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What does meiosis (meiotic cell division) produce?

Four genetically different haploid daughter cells — the gametes (sex cells).

Why must gametes be haploid?

So that when two gametes fuse at fertilisation the zygote is diploid, restoring the normal chromosome number (46 in humans).

What is meant by a haploid cell?

A cell with half the number of chromosomes of a body cell.
e.g. a human gamete has 23 chromosomes (body cells have 46).

What is meant by a diploid cell?

A cell with two sets of chromosomes, so its chromosomes are in pairs.
e.g. a human body cell has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).