meiosis: Quick Facts

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Oct. 26, 2026

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From sea anemone to human fertility: A new research organism for understanding meiosis • Oct. 23, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (Phys.org)

Facts

Also Known As	reduction division

Photos and Videos

The division of diploid germ cells, also known as meiosis

A step-by-step diagram of meiosis, showing the stages of sex cell division. Illustrated cells depict chromosome behavior, cell membrane changes, and the formation of four daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the original cell. Labels and brief descriptions explain key processes such as homologous chromosome pairing, crossing over, and separation of chromatids.

Behaviour of chromosomes at meiosis.

Diagram showing the process of crossing over during meiosis, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, followed by two cell divisions that result in four genetically unique haploid daughter cells.

Diagram comparing reproductive pathways: arrows show sexual reproduction forming a diploid zygote from oocyte and sperm, haploid parthenogenesis forming a haploid individual, and two types of diploid parthenogenesis-automixis and apomixis-both resulting in diploid individuals. Symbols indicate haploid and diploid stages.

The process of gamete formation in meiosis explained

Observe an animation representing the different stages of meiosis

How is biological sex determined?

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Topics

meiotic nondisjunction homologous recombination mitosis cell division chromatid prophase anaphase cytokinesis metaphase telophase centromere

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Key People

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Cyril Dean Darlington

British biologist