# Explain why it is important that sperm cells are produced by meiosis rather than mitosis.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 2.2.1 Mitosis and meiosis · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Meiosis produces cells with half the normal chromosome number (haploid / 23 chromosomes in humans)
2. When sperm fuses with an egg at fertilisation, the correct/full chromosome number (diploid / 46) is restored
3. If mitosis were used, sperm would be diploid, so fertilisation would double the chromosome number each generation
4. Meiosis also produces genetic variation in the sperm cells (through shuffling of chromosomes / independent assortment)

## Key terms

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

## Related

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

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-it-is-important-that-83eb15bc) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.