Why is meiosis called a "reduction division"?

Question

A.Because it has fewer chromosomes than the original after division.

B.Because it has more chromosomes than the original after division.

C.Because it has the same number of chromosomes as the original after division.

Answer 1

A. Because it has fewer chromosomes than the original after division.

Meiosis is called a "reduction division" because it reduces the chromosome number by half. In humans, for example, somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, while the gametes produced by meiosis (sperm and eggs) have 23 chromosomes.