Question

What is the significance of meiosis?

Answer 1

The significance of meiosis is given below:

1. Formation of gametes: Gametes, which are necessary for sexual reproduction, are formed during meiosis.
2. Genetic information: It turns off the sporophytic information and turns on the genetic information needed for the generation of gametes or gametophytes.
3. Maintenance of chromosome number: Meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes in sexually reproducing organisms by half in order to maintain the fixed number. Given that the number of chromosomes doubles during fertilisation, it is imperative.
4. Assortment of chromosomes: The maternal and paternal chromosomes assort separately during meiosis. It results in a rearrangement of chromosomes and the features they govern. The differences aid in the improvement of valuable plant and animal races by breeders.
5. Crossing over: It presents fresh iterations or combinations of characteristics.
6. Mutations: Inconsistencies in meiotic divisions might result in mutations affecting the chromosomes and genome. Natural selection keeps some of these mutations alive because they are advantageous to the organism.
7. Evidence of basic relationships among organisms: The majority of species exhibit fundamental similarities and relationships in the details of meiosis.