Meiosis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-016918",
  "term": "Meiosis",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A special form of cell division in which each daughter cell receives half the amount of DNA as the parent cell. Meiosis occurs during formation of egg and sperm cells in mammals.\n\n2. A two-stage type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that results in the development of sperm and egg cells . In meiosis, a diploid cell divides to produce four haploid cells, each with half the original chromosome content. In organisms with a diploid life cycle, the products of meiosis are called gametes. In organisms with an alternation of generations, the products of meiosis are called spores.\n\n3. A specialized cell division in which a single diploid cell undergoes two nuclear divisions following a single round of DNA replication in order to produce four daughter cells that contain half the number of chromosomes as the diploid cell. Meiosis occurs during the formation of gametes from diploid organisms and at the beginning of haplophase in those organisms that alternate between diploid and haploid generations.\n\n4. A type of cell nucleus division, occurring during maturation of the germ cells. Two successive cell nucleus divisions following a single chromosome duplication (S phase) result in daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells.\n\n5. Meiosis is the formation of egg and sperm cells. In sexually reproducing organisms, body cells are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes (one set from each parent). To maintain this state, the egg and sperm that unite during fertilization must be haploid, meaning they each contain a single set of chromosomes. During meiosis, diploid cells undergo DNA replication, followed by two rounds of cell division, producing four haploid sex cells.",
  "subject": "Biological substances",
  "references": [
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus",
    "NOAA Coral Reef Glossary",
    "NIH Genetics Home Reference Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/meiosis/"
}