3.30 understand how division of a cell by meiosis produces four cells, each with half the number of chromosomes, and that this results in the formation of genetically different haploid gametes

Meiosis function:
- Humans are composed of diploid cells, possessing 2 copies of each chromosome (1 from maternal, 1 from paternal). For humans to reproduce, fertilisation takes place and the fusion of 2 haploid gametes (egg and sperm).
Remember: Haploid = 23 chromosomes, Diploid = 46 chromosomes.

There are 2 stages in Meiosis:

Meiosis 1:
1. The cell duplicates its DNA and aligns in pairs in the center of the cell.
2. The pairs are pulled apart, each new cell with only 1 copy of each chromosome. Some father's and some mother's chromosomes go into each cell.

Meiosis 2:
3. In the second division, the chromosomes line up again in the center of the cell. The chromosome is again pulled apart.
4. This results in 4 haploid gametes. Each gamete only has a single set of chromosomes. Gametes are genetically different.