Meiosis is a cell division process that reduces the chromosome number by half. In specialized organs, germ cells undergo meiosis, resulting in cells with half the chromosomes and DNA content. This ensures that when germ cells from two individuals combine during sexual reproduction, the DNA content is reestablished in the new generation.
What is meiosis, and how does it contribute to resolving the issue of doubling DNA content?
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Meiosis is a specialized cell division process that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, leading to the formation of haploid gametes (sperm and eggs). It consists of two sequential divisions (meiosis I and II) without an intervening round of DNA replication. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in cells with half the DNA content of the parent cell. This contributes to resolving the issue of doubling DNA content, ensuring that the fusion of gametes during fertilization restores the diploid chromosome number in the zygote. Meiosis introduces genetic diversity through the shuffling of alleles, promoting genetic variation in offspring.