Chapter 12, Problem 2SQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction: Cell division is the process where cells divide to produce two or more daughter cells. There are mainly two types of cell division, namely mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis involves the division of a single cell into two identical daughter cells. Meiotic division is a type of division that occurs in a cell that typically lessens the number of chromosomes present in its parent cell by half. A diploid parent cell (2n) is used for the production of four haploid (n) daughter cells. Meiotic division mainly occurs in the reproductive cells (egg and sperm). When the haploid sex cells fuse together to form a distinct cell, it restores the diploid condition of the cell (zygote). There are two phases of meiosis – meiosis I and meiosis II.