Question

What is the significance of Meiosis.

Answer 1

Significance of Meiosis:

1. It produces gametes for reproduction.
2. It keeps the chromosome number constant generation after generation in sexually reproducing organisms.
3. It reduces the chromosome number to half in male and female gametes, so that on fertilization the normal chromosome number is restored.
4. The maternal and paternal chromosomes pair together during meiosis and the process of pairing is called synapsis.
5. Such paired chromosomes are called homologous chromosomes .
6. The structure formed by a pair of homologous chromosomes is called bivalent or tetrad.
7. Next, crossing over takes place between non-sister chromatids of the homologous chromosomes.
8. The point at which crossing over takes place is called chiasmata.
9. The crossing over involves the exchange of genetic material between two homologous chromosomes (or recombination), thus resulting in genetic variations in the progeny.