Meiosis however, is the growth and division of cells for reproduction to produce gametes - sex cells i.e. sperm and egg cell; these contain half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. This only takes place within the sex organs only.
1. Cell contains 23 chromosomes.
2. Each chromosome replicates itself; you now have 46 chromosomes. (growth)
3. The chromosomes separate to opposite sides of the cell with their 'copies'
4. Cell divides for the first time. (division)
5. Copies then separate again for the second cell division. (division)
6. You now have 4 gametes produced, each with half the number of chromosomes of the original cell. These gametes are not identical and show genetic variation.
When these gametes fuse with another gamete i.e. in fertilization, they produce a zygote - a single body cell with a whole set of chromosomes.
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