Q.Is the meiosis responsible for evolution? Justify your answer.

Meiosis is important because it keeps the chromosome number constant across sexual generations and it creates new genetic combinations, driving variation.

Meiosis is the reductional cell division that occurs during gamete (or spore) formation, converting a diploid (2n) cell into four haploid (n) cells. Two of its most important significances are:

1. Maintenance of a constant chromosome number: If gametes were formed by ordinary mitosis, each gamete would carry the full diploid chromosome number, and the chromosome number would double every generation after fertilisation. By halving the chromosome number during meiosis, each haploid gamete carries only one set of chromosomes, so that when two gametes fuse at fertilisation, the normal diploid (2n) chromosome number of the species is exactly restored in the zygote, generation after generation. …