Meiosis in animals results in gametes (sperm and egg cells), which are haploid, meaning they have half the number of chromosomes as a normal cell.

Fertilization is the process where a sperm cell and an egg cell fuse, combining their genetic material. This results in a zygote, which is diploid, meaning it has the full set of chromosomes. The zygote is the first cell of a new individual.

So, in summary:

* Meiosis: Produces haploid gametes

* Fertilization: Combines haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote

The zygote then undergoes mitosis (cell division) to develop into an embryo and eventually a fully formed organism.