Meiosis in Humans

Meiosis, the process by which sexually reproducing organisms generate gametes (sex cells), is an essential precondition for the normal formation of the embryo. As sexually-reproducing, diploid, multicellular eukaryotes, humans [5] rely on meiosis [6] to serve a number of important functions, including the promotion of genetic diversity and the creation of proper conditions for reproductive success. However, the primary function of meiosis [6] is the reduction [7] of the ploidy [8] (number of chromosomes) of the gametes from diploid (2n, or two sets of 23 chromosomes) to haploid (1n or one set of 23 chromosomes). While parts of meiosis [6] are similar to mitotic processes, the two systems of cellular division produce distinctly different outcomes. Problems during meiosis [6] can stop embryonic development and sometimes cause spontaneous miscarriages, genetic errors, and birth defects [9] such as Down syndrome [10].