What is the primary result of meiosis in humans?

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, including humans. The primary result of meiosis is the production of haploid gametes, which are essential for sexual reproduction. In humans, this process ultimately leads to the formation of sperm and egg cells, both of which have half the chromosome number of the original diploid parent cell.

During meiosis, a diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division, leading to four genetically diverse haploid cells. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial because, upon fertilization, when a sperm and egg unite, they create a diploid zygote that restores the full chromosome number characteristic of the species.

Understanding the role of meiosis in producing haploid gametes is fundamental in the study of genetics and reproduction, distinguishing it from other processes like mitosis, which produces diploid somatic cells, or the replication of DNA, which is not the central focus of meiosis.