* Diploid: A cell with two sets of chromosomes (one set from each parent).
* Haploid: A cell with only one set of chromosomes.
Why is this important?
Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction. The haploid daughter cells produced by meiosis become gametes (sperm and egg cells in animals, pollen and egg cells in plants). When these gametes fuse during fertilization, they create a diploid zygote that develops into a new organism.
In summary:
* Meiosis starts with a diploid cell.
* It goes through two rounds of cell division.
* It results in four haploid daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the original cell.
* These haploid cells become gametes, which are essential for sexual reproduction.
