Question

Using humans with their 46 chromosomes as an example, explain the “numbering problem” solved through meiosis.

Answer 1

Meiosis is a type of cell division that forms new gametes in the sex cells, it takes place in the gonads and involves two stages meiosis I and meiosis II. It results to production of four haploid (n) daughter cells. Humans have 46 chromosomes which represents the diploid (n), therefore after meiosis the result is daughter cells with 23 chromosomes which is the haploid (n). Such that the gametes from the two parents are haploid, that is oocyte (n) and the spermatozoa (n), therefore when fertilization takes place we end up with a diploid zygote (2n). Therefore, Meiosis solves the numbering problem by production of haploid gametes to maintain the diploid number of species, generation after generation.