Production of gametes occurs through which process?

The correct answer is meiosis, which is the specialized form of cell division responsible for the production of gametes in sexually reproducing organisms. During meiosis, a diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division, resulting in four haploid cells, each genetically distinct from one another and from the original cell. This process is essential for maintaining the correct chromosome number across generations, as it halves the chromosome number in the gametes, allowing for fertilization to restore the diploid state.

Meiosis consists of two key stages: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, and in meiosis II, the sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated. This unique process introduces genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment, which are crucial for evolution and biological diversity.

The other choices refer to different processes that do not result in gamete production. Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two identical diploid daughter cells and is primarily involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Fertilization is the process where sperm and egg unite but does not itself produce gametes. Gamete formation is a general term that could refer to either meiosis or the entire process of gametogenesis