Question

Give some basic contrasting characters of zygote meiosis and gametic meiosis.

Answer 1

Before sexual reproduction, chromosome number must be halved. In some protists, this is achieved by meiotic division of the zygote nucleus (zygotic meiosis) resulting in haploid stage. In others, the zygotic nucleus divides mitotically and the resulting cells form a diploid phase, which later produces cells capable of meiotic division (gametic meiosis). Thus, zygotic meiosis occurs in zygote, i.e., the zygote nucleus divides meiotically to produce haploid individuals. On the other hand, gametic meiosis occurs in diploid individuals to form haploid gametes.