What is produced at the end of meiosis II?

At the end of meiosis II, the process specifically results in the formation of gametes. Meiosis consists of two rounds of cell division: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated into different cells, leading to two haploid cells that each contain half the number of chromosomes. Then, during meiosis II, the sister chromatids within those haploid cells are separated, resulting in a total of four haploid gametes.

These gametes, which can be sperm or eggs in animals, are critical for sexual reproduction because they can fuse during fertilization to form a zygote, which becomes a new organism. It is important to note that while the gametes are haploid (n), they are distinct from somatic cells, which are diploid (2n) and do not undergo meiosis. Diploid cells would be produced during the process of fertilization when a sperm and an egg combine. Thus, the production of gametes at the end of meiosis II signifies the completion of this specialized form of cell division, allowing for genetic diversity and the continuation of species.