What is the purpose of meiosis?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms and is essential for producing gametes—sperm and eggs. The primary purpose of meiosis is to reduce the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid cells that carry only one set of chromosomes. This reduction is crucial for maintaining the chromosome number across generations when gametes fuse during fertilization, forming a diploid zygote.

Furthermore, meiosis introduces genetic variation through processes like crossing over and independent assortment, which are integral for evolution and adaptation in populations. By generating diverse gametes, meiosis contributes to genetic diversity within a species, which is vital for the survival and adaptability of organisms.

In contrast to other processes, such as those involved in somatic cell production or cellular repair, meiosis specifically focuses on the formation of gametes essential for sexual reproduction. Similarly, generating energy is not a function of meiosis, as this process is primarily centered around cell division and genetic diversity, not metabolic processes.