Question

Why is reduction division important? Why is meiosis referred to as such?

Answer 1

Reduction division is important because it retains a fixed number of chromosomes in a species. In the absence of reduction division, the number or chromosomes will double with every generation, resulting in excessive enlargement of nucleus, genetic degeneration and death of living organisms.

Meiosis is called reduction division because during meiosis, the number of chromosomes are reduced to half. For example, if a cell has 2n number of chromosomes, this number would be n after the first meiotic division.