Analyze how meiosis produces haploid gametes

Meiosis is the type of cell division that produces haploid gametes. This process has two stages and will end up with four daughter cells containing half of the original amount of genetic information.

Prior to meiosis DNA replication occurs which results into each chromosome containing two sister chromatids, identical to the original.

During meiosis I, these pairs of homologous chromosomes are separated from each other and end up into two daughter cells. Furthermore, during this phase homologous chromosomes exchange fragments of DNA in a process known as crossing over.

In meiosis II no DNA replication occurs. The two sister chromatids of each homologue chromosome are separated into two haploid daughter cells with non-duplicated chromosomes. As two daughter cells result from meiosis I, at the end of meiosis II, four daughter cells will result from the original mother cell.

Meiosis, also called reduction division, is cell division necessary for the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs). In this type of division, diploid cell (with two sets of chromosomes) forms haploid cells (with a single set of chromosomes). The haploid number is produced during the meiosis I (anaphase I) when homologues pairs, not individual chromosomes, separate.