Why Is Meiosis Important for Sexual Reproduction?


Quick Answer

Meiosis is important because it reduces the number of chromosomes by half allowing sexual reproduction to occur. If meiosis did not happen, the cell would have too many DNA pairs. This would result in the death of the cell or other life-threatening complications with offspring.

Continue Reading
Why Is Meiosis Important for Sexual Reproduction?
Credit: Ben Babock CC-BY-2.0

Full Answer

Meiosis also helps introduce genetic variations. This can occur in one of three ways: crossing over of homologous chromosome pairs during prophase 1, independent assortment of homologous pairs during metaphase 1 and random chance fertilization. The four daughter cells, which are a result of meiosis, will all have a various combination of genetic material from the parents due to one of these three variations.

Learn more about Cells
Related Videos

Related Questions