Science
What would happen if gametes are formed by mitotic divisions?
Cell
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Answer
Gametes are normally formed by meiosis, in which the number of chromosomes is reduced to half (the gametes become haploid). During fertilisation, two gametes combine and the original chromosome number is restored.
If gametes were formed by mitotic divisions instead of meiosis, each gamete would have the full number of chromosomes (the same as the parent cell), not half. When two such gametes fused during fertilisation, the offspring would have double the normal number of chromosomes. With every generation, the chromosome number would keep doubling. This would disrupt the genetic stability of the species and lead to abnormalities. Therefore, meiosis is essential for keeping the chromosome number constant from one generation to the next.
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