Which process is involved in the formation of gametes?

The formation of gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm in males and eggs in females), occurs through the process of meiosis. This specialized type of cell division reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid cells.

Meiosis consists of two successive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to genetic variation through processes such as crossing over. The final result is four genetically distinct gametes, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in the original diploid cell.

This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote restores the diploid chromosome number. The other choices involve different cellular processes. Mitosis is responsible for the growth and repair of tissues by producing two genetically identical daughter cells. Cell differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes more specialized; it does not directly lead to gamete formation. DNA repair involves the mechanisms that correct damage to DNA but does not pertain to the production of gametes. Thus, meiosis is distinctly the process responsible for gamete formation.