Meiosis
Meiosis (Supplement)
- Meiosis makes gametes (sex cells).
- It is a reduction division: the chromosome number is halved, from diploid to haploid.
- The cells it makes are genetically different from one another.
Practice
Meiosis is used to make:
Meiosis produces gametes; mitosis makes identical body cells for growth and repair.
Practice
Meiosis is called a reduction division because it:
Meiosis halves the chromosome number so gametes are haploid; fertilisation restores the diploid number.
Mitosis vs meiosis
| Mitosis | Meiosis | |
|---|---|---|
| cells made | 2 | 4 |
| chromosome number | stays diploid | halved to haploid |
| are they identical? | yes | no — all different |
| used for | growth, repair, asexual | making gametes |
Practice
Meiosis makes four genetically different haploid cells, while mitosis makes two identical diploid cells.
Meiosis → 4 different haploid gametes; mitosis → 2 identical diploid cells.
You've got it
Key idea
- meiosis makes gametes; it halves the chromosome number (diploid → haploid)
- the gametes are all genetically different
- contrast: mitosis → 2 identical diploid; meiosis → 4 different haploid