Here's why:

* Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells). These gametes have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, which is essential for sexual reproduction.

* Germ cells are the only cells in the body specifically designated for producing gametes. They are found in the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females).

* Somatic cells (all other cells in the body) undergo mitosis, a process that produces two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This allows for growth and repair of tissues.

So, while all cells in a multicellular organism arise from a single fertilized egg, only germ cells undergo meiosis to create the gametes necessary for the next generation.