Term: meiosis
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03818

Definition:
The reductive cell division which results in daughter cells containing one copy of each of the chromosomes of the parent. The entire meiotic process involves two separate divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II). The first division is a true reductive division with the chromosomes number being halved, whereas the second division resembles mitosis in many ways. Thus, a diploid parental cell will give rise to haploid daughter cells (cf. ploidy).

Related Terms:
1) chromosome (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01077).
2) ploidy (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04696).
3) mitosis (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03938).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 159 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'meiosis' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03818

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