Here's why:

* Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half. This is essential for producing gametes (sperm and egg cells) because when a sperm and egg fuse during fertilization, they create a zygote with the correct number of chromosomes.

* Mitosis produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. This is important for growth and repair, but it does not create cells with half the number of chromosomes.

Therefore, meiosis is the process that produces gametes.