Meiosis

:For the article on the figure of speech, see meiosis (figure of speech).

Related Topics:
Figure of speech - Meiosis (figure of speech)

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In biology, meiosis is the process that transforms one diploid cell into four haploid cells in eukaryotes.

Related Topics:
Biology - Diploid - Haploid - Eukaryote

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Meiosis forms the basis of sexual reproduction and can only occur in eukaryotes. In meiosis, the diploid cell's genome, which is composed of ordered structures of coiled DNA called chromosomes, is replicated once and split twice, producing four sets of haploid cells each containing half of the original cell's chromosomes. These resultant haploid cells will fertilize with other haploid cells of the opposite gender to form a diploid cell again. The cyclical process of splitting by meiosis and genetic recombination through fertilization is called the life cycle.

Related Topics:
Sexual reproduction - Genome - DNA - Chromosome - Fertilize - Genetic recombination

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