Meiosis is a special type of cell division of germ cells in sexually-reproducing organisms used to produce the gametes, such as sperm or egg cells. It involves two rounds of division that ultimately result in four cells with only one copy of each paternal and maternal chromosome.
From the Greek word "meiosis," meaning "lessening," referring to the reduction in the number of chromosomes.
Essential for sexual reproduction and for creating genetic diversity among offspring.