Meiosis is the special type of cell division in which the numbers of chromosomes in daughter cell are reduced to half, as compared to parent cell.
Occurrence:
It takes place in diploid cells only.
• In animals at the time of gamete formation.
Gametes:
Eggs and Sperms cells are specialized sex cells called Gametes.
Zygote:
In animals male gamete (sperm) unites with female gamete (egg) during fertilization to form a single cell called zygote.
The fusion of gametes is called syngamy.Zygote is the first cell of the new animal. Each of the two gametes contributes half of the genetic information to the zygote.
Reduction Division:
The daughter cells resulting from meiosis will carry half the number of chromosomes and half the amount of genetic material compared to the parent cell. Hence, meiosis is also known as reductional division.
Meiosis occurs during the formation of gametes (spermatozoa and ova) in animals and spores in higher plants. It is mainly meant for bringing about a decrease in the chromosome number from the diploid (2n) condition to the haploid (n) condition.