Biology 30 – Mitosis and Meiosis Practice Test

In gamete production, meiosis is the process that halves the chromosome number and produces four haploid cells that are not genetically identical. It involves two rounds of division. In the first division, homologous chromosomes pair and then separate, reducing the chromosome count from diploid to haploid, while crossing over can swap genetic material between paired chromosomes to increase genetic variety. In the second division, the sister chromatids separate, yielding four distinct haploid gametes. This differs from mitosis, where a cell replicates its DNA and divides once to form two identical diploid cells. Meiosis also occurs in germ cells, not somatic cells. This combination of chromosome reduction and two divisions producing four non-identical haploid cells is what makes gamete production unique.