What is the process of meiosis?

Meiosis is specifically the type of cell division that occurs in the gonads (testes and ovaries) to produce gametes, which are sperm and egg cells, respectively. This process reduces the chromosome number by half, creating cells that are haploid (having one set of chromosomes), unlike somatic cells, which are diploid (having two sets of chromosomes). Meiosis consists of two successive divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II, leading to the production of four genetically unique gametes from one original cell.

In contrast, the other processes mentioned, such as cell division in somatic cells, refers to mitosis rather than meiosis, which results in two identical daughter cells. Cell differentiation pertains to the process by which cells develop distinct functions and characteristics, while cell repair and healing involve specialized processes to restore tissue integrity after injury. These distinctions underscore why the correct answer highlights the specific context of meiosis taking place in the gonads.