What is the purpose of meiosis?

1 Answer
Evan Holbrook
Jun 15, 2018

To provide genetic diversity.

Explanation:

Unlike in mitosis where 2 identical daughter cells are created, meiosis results in 4 genetically unique haploid/sex cells (like sperm and egg cells).

The process in which meiosis provides this diversity is called crossing over . Crossing over occurs when two homologous chromosomes mix together their genetic information (i.e. chromosome A and chromosome B mixing to form chromosome AB). Here's a picture:

![http://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-3-genetics/33-meiosis/http://crossing-over.html](https://useruploads.socratic.org/VNVUrOITWuUcufrYmLsZ_crossing-over_med.jpeg)

Hope this helps!

Related questions
See all questions in Meiosis
Impact of this question
14441 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License