meiosis, miosis, reduction division

(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)

• nondisjunction — meiosis in which there is a failure of paired homologous chromosomes to separate; results in an abnormal number of chromosomes in the daughter cells

• cell division, cellular division — the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form daughter cells

• anaphase — the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
• karyokinesis — organic process consisting of the division of the nucleus of a cell during mitosis or meiosis
• metaphase — the second stage of meiosis
• prophase — the first stage of meiosis
• segregation — (genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes
• telophase — the final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle