Meiosis - Introduction

Description:

Meiosis is a type of division in which the chromosomes duplicate only once but the cell divides twice. Since the cell divides twice one parent cell produces 4 daughter cells.

Each daughter cell produced by meiosis have half the number of chromosomes as compared to that of the parent cell. Hence meiosis is also called reductional division.

Meiosis occurs in diploid germ cells of sex organs.

Interphase occurs prior to meiosis. Interphase of meiosis is similar to that of mitosis except that the S-phase is prolonged in case of meiosis. Distinct G₂ phase is either short or absent.

Meiosis has two M-phases, Meiosis I and Meiosis II, each with its own karyokinesis and cytokinesis.