Question

WHAT DOES -MEIOSIS AT THE TIME OF GAMETOGENESIS AND MITOSIS AFTER FERTILIZATION MEAN?

Answer 1

During gametogenesis, gametes (sperm in males and egg in females) are formed from primary gametocytes by meiotic division. This reduces the chromosome number to half and ensures the same number of chromosome number as that of parent in the zygote formed by the fusion of these gametes. After fertilisation, zygote is formed that is diploid i.e having same number of chromosomes as that of parent. This zygote now divides by mitotic division (equational division) to ensure the diploid nature of offspring as that of parent. Thus, meiosis during gametogenesis and mitosis after fertilisation are essential for maintaining the chromosome number of sexually reproducing organisms.