What does meiosis primarily produce in biological systems?

Meiosis primarily produces four daughter cells, which is a crucial process in sexual reproduction. During meiosis, a single diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division: meiosis I and meiosis II.

In the first division, homologous chromosomes are separated, reducing the chromosome number by half and creating two haploid cells. Each of these cells then undergoes a second division in meiosis II, where the sister chromatids are separated, resulting in a total of four haploid daughter cells. This is essential for producing gametes (sperm and eggs) in animals, ensuring genetic diversity through processes such as independent assortment and crossing over during meiosis, which shuffle genetic material. By producing four daughter cells, meiosis plays a vital role in maintaining the proper chromosome number across generations in sexually reproducing organisms.