If gametes [1] were produced in the same way as daughter cells in mitosis,
there would be a doubling of the chromosome [2] number at fertilisation.
The process of meiosis ensures that, normally, the gametes have only half
the number of chromosomes, that is one of each homologous [3] pair in each
gamete (the haploid [4] number). Meiosis is therefore a reduction division.
During meiosis the homologous chromosomes of diploid [5] cells separate. In
humans, somatic cells [6] contain 46 chromosomes (the diploid number) but
sperm and ova contain 23 chromosomes (the haploid [7] number).
