ABSTRACT
Meiosis ensures that genes from both sides of a family are passed on to the young. Sex cells, or gametes, are made inside special sex organs in the body through meiosis. Once meiosis is complete and the gametes form, they must be fertilized. Diploid cell must replicate, or copy, its DNA to make sister chromatids before it can go through meiosis. Meiosis ensures that the number of chromosomes in cells does not double with each generation. When meiosis occurs in males, the cytoplasm of the original cell is equally divided among four sperm. Meiosis creates variety in a species, which increases the species' chances for survival. Plant or animal, meiosis ensures that the proper number of genes is passed on to each new generation. The sporophyte undergoes meiosis to make spores. The spores are haploid, with half the chromosomes of the sporophyte. Any species with two sexes male and female uses meiosis to form sex cells.
