* Haploid: These daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
* Diploid: The parent cell has two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
Why is this important?
Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction because it ensures that the offspring inherit a complete set of chromosomes from each parent. The haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells) produced by meiosis combine during fertilization to create a diploid zygote.
Key takeaway: Meiosis is the cell division process that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells), which are necessary for sexual reproduction.
