What type of cells are produced as a result of meiosis?

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that occurs only in the formation of gametes, which are the sperm and egg cells in animals. The primary function of meiosis is to reduce the chromosome number by half, resulting in four non-identical daughter cells, each with a haploid set of chromosomes. This is essential for sexual reproduction, as the fusion of two gametes restores the diploid chromosome number in the resulting zygote.

In contrast, somatic cells are body cells that are produced through mitosis, a different type of cell division that maintains the chromosome number. Stem cells can differentiate into various cell types but are not produced specifically through meiosis. Allium cells refer to cells from the genus Allium, such as onion cells, and do not relate specifically to the process of meiosis in the context of gamete formation.

The key aspect of meiosis is that it specifically creates gametes, which are crucial for sexual reproduction, allowing for genetic diversity through the combination of genetic material from two parents.