# Explain why the daughter cells produced by meiosis are described as haploid and why this is important for fertilisation.

> Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) — 3.2 Meiosis · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Meiosis produces cells with half the usual number of chromosomes / a single copy of each chromosome
2. This means the daughter cells are haploid (gametes)
3. At fertilisation, the male and female gametes fuse / their nuclei combine
4. This restores the full / diploid chromosome number in the fertilised egg / zygote

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0)](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-the-daughter-cells-produced-98fe4108) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.