What is the expected product of the meiosis process?

The meiosis process is specifically designed to reduce the chromosome number in cells to half, resulting in haploid cells. This reduction is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when two gametes – typically sperm and egg – unite during fertilization, the resulting zygote maintains the diploid state characteristic of the organism.

During meiosis, a diploid parent cell undergoes two consecutive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. This results in four genetically diverse haploid cells, which are the gametes. These cells carry only one set of chromosomes, making them haploid, which is essential for maintaining the proper chromosome number in the offspring. Each gamete combines with another during fertilization, restoring the diploid condition in the resulting zygote.

The other options refer to cells that are not produced through meiosis. Diploid cells are the result of mitosis or the fusion of gametes, somatic cells refer to any cells of the body excluding the reproductive gametes, and zygotes are formed only after the fusion of two haploid gametes during fertilization. Hence, the expected product of meiosis is indeed haploid gametes, crucial for sexual reproduction.