Meiosis results in haploid gametes and introduces genetic variation.

• A. Meiosis
• B. Mitosis
• C. Binary fission
• D. Budding

Answer: (A)

Meiosis reduces the chromosome number from diploid to haploid and creates genetic diversity in the resulting gametes. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and exchange genetic material through crossing over, producing new combinations of alleles. Then the homologues separate in the first division (reducing the chromosome number), and the sister chromatids separate in the second division, yielding four unique haploid gametes. This combination of reduced number and genetic shuffling is what makes meiosis essential for sexual reproduction and variation.

Contrast with the other processes: mitosis preserves the chromosome number and typically produces genetically identical diploid cells, not haploid gametes. Binary fission and budding are forms of asexual reproduction that also generally produce clones rather than genetically diverse gametes.