Meiosis results in the transition from which type of chromosome number?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms to produce gametes, such as sperm and eggs. It is characterized by two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to a reduction in the chromosome number.

This process takes a diploid cell, which contains two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent), and reduces its chromosome number by half to produce haploid cells, which contain only one set of chromosomes. Therefore, meiosis transitions the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n). This reduction is essential for maintaining the chromosome number across generations when gametes fuse during fertilization.

Thus, the transition from diploid to haploid resulting from meiosis is a fundamental aspect of sexual reproduction and ensures that offspring have the correct chromosome number when the gametes combine.