What is the term for the process of division that results in the formation of gametes?

The process of division that leads to the formation of gametes is known as meiosis. This specialized type of cell division occurs in sexually reproducing organisms and is crucial for generating sperm and egg cells, which contain half the number of chromosomes than the original cell. During meiosis, two rounds of division take place—meiosis I and meiosis II—resulting in four genetically diverse haploid cells from an original diploid cell.

Meiosis not only reduces the chromosome number by half but also promotes genetic diversity through processes such as crossing over and independent assortment. This genetic variation is vital for evolution and adaptation in populations.

In contrast, mitosis is responsible for the growth and repair of somatic cells and results in two identical diploid daughter cells. Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction primarily seen in prokaryotic organisms like bacteria, where a single cell divides into two identical cells. Genetic recombination refers to the process of exchanging genetic material between different chromosomes or within the same chromosome, contributing to genetic diversity but is not a division process itself. Thus, meiosis is specifically associated with the formation of gametes, making it the correct answer in this context.