What is the process by which cells undergo division to produce gametes?

The process by which cells undergo division to produce gametes is meiosis. Meiosis is specifically designed for the purpose of generating haploid cells, which are necessary for sexual reproduction. During meiosis, a single diploid cell divides twice to produce four genetically diverse haploid cells, each with half the chromosome number of the original cell. This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for maintaining the species' chromosome number across generations when gametes fuse during fertilization.

Meiosis consists of two main stages: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, and in meiosis II, sister chromatids are separated. This ensures genetic variability through processes such as crossing over and independent assortment.

Other processes, such as mitosis, cytokinesis, and fission, serve different functions. Mitosis is primarily involved in growth and repair, producing two genetically identical diploid cells. Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm that follows mitosis or meiosis but does not by itself produce gametes. Fission refers to a form of asexual reproduction seen in some unicellular organisms and does not involve gamete formation. Thus, meiosis is the correct answer for the division process that specifically leads to the production