Question

Meiosis is an essential event in the sexual life cycle of any organism.Give two reasons

Answer 1

Meiosis is a form a reductive cell division whereby the daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the mother cell. This is vital as halving the chromosome number during gamete formation balances the doubling effect of fertilisation. Meiosis is also responsible for introducing genetic variation into gametes which is important for the survival of the species. It does this during crossing over in prophase one and via random assortment of chromosomes during metaphase.

Answer 2

a) It helps to restore diploid chromosome number during fertilisation.

b) It is a source of variation. Random segregation of chromosomes and exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes increases the genetic diversity.