# Describe the role of meiosis in sexual reproduction, including how it contributes to genetic variation in offspring.

> AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.6.1 Reproduction · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Meiosis produces gametes (sex cells / sperm and egg cells)
2. Gametes contain half the usual number of chromosomes (haploid / 23 chromosomes)
3. During meiosis, chromosomes are shuffled / genes are mixed, producing non-identical cells
4. Fertilisation (fusion of male and female gametes) restores the full chromosome number, producing a new combination of alleles in the offspring

## Key terms

- [meiosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/meiosis)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Biology (8461)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-the-role-of-meiosis-in-1a34caa8) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.