Overview of Meiosis

Introduction to Meiosis00:00:04

Meiosis is a type of cell division occurring in an organism's reproductive structures, or gonads, to produce genetically different haploid gametes.

Gametes in Animals and Plants00:00:23

In males, haploid gametes are sperm cells, and in females, they are egg cells. In plants, pollen grains contain male gametes, while ovules contain female gametes.

The Process of Meiosis00:00:38

A cell undergoing meiosis first replicates its chromosomes during interphase, becoming a diploid cell (2n) with two sets of chromosomes. Through two stages of cell division, meiosis produces four genetically different haploid gametes (n).

Reduction Division and Restoration of Chromosome Number00:01:06

Meiosis is also known as reduction division because it reduces the chromosome number by half. When a haploid sperm cell and a haploid egg cell unite during fertilization, the diploid number of chromosomes is restored in the resulting zygote.