Which process halves the genetic material to form gametes?

• A. Mitosis
• B. Binary fission
• C. Meiosis
• D. Budding

Answer: (C)

Meiosis halves the chromosome number to form gametes. It starts with a cell that has two full sets of chromosomes and, through two rounds of division after DNA replication, ends with four haploid cells—each carrying half the original chromosome count. The first division separates homologous chromosome pairs, and the second division separates sister chromatids, producing genetically diverse gametes. This reduction is essential because when two gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting offspring restore the full diploid set. By contrast, mitosis preserves the chromosome number and creates two diploid daughter cells for growth or repair. Binary fission is a simple replication-and-division process in many bacteria, not the formation of gametes, and budding is an asexual reproduction method in some organisms.