What type of cell division produces haploid gametes?

The process that produces haploid gametes is meiosis. During meiosis, a diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division, resulting in four genetically varied haploid cells. These haploid cells are crucial for sexual reproduction, as they combine during fertilization to form a diploid zygote, restoring the chromosome number.

Meiosis consists of two main stages: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number by half. This reduction is vital for maintaining stable chromosome counts across generations when gametes from two parents unite. The resulting haploid cells can then develop into sperm or eggs, which are necessary for reproduction in many organisms.

Other processes like mitosis, binary fission, and regeneration do not result in haploid cells. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair, while binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction that results in two identical daughter cells from a single organism. Regeneration refers to the process by which certain organisms can regrow lost parts or even develop entirely new individuals from a part of their body, which again typically involves mitosis rather than the reduction of chromosome numbers characteristic of meiosis. Thus, the unique characteristics