What is the primary purpose of meiosis in organisms?

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. Its primary purpose is to produce gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm and eggs in animals) that combine during fertilization to create a new organism.

During meiosis, a single diploid cell undergoes two rounds of division, ultimately resulting in four haploid cells. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for maintaining the species’ chromosome count through generations. When gametes fuse during fertilization, they restore the diploid number, ensuring genetic continuity.

The process of meiosis also introduces genetic diversity through mechanisms like crossing over and independent assortment, which shuffle genetic material and contribute to the variation seen in offspring. This genetic variation is vital for evolution and adaptation within populations.

The other options address processes that are not the primary function of meiosis. Energy production and tissue repair are outcomes of other types of cell division, such as mitosis, while growth is primarily facilitated by both mitosis and the expansion of existing cells rather than meiosis.