Question

1. the process by which the egg and sperm cells are formed is called ______. this process reduces the number of chromosomes by what percentage?

Explanation:

Part 1: Identifying the process

In biology, the process of forming egg (ova) and sperm cells is meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in germ cells to produce gametes.

Step1: Recall chromosome number in meiosis

In a typical diploid cell (with 2n chromosomes), meiosis results in haploid cells (with n chromosomes). So the initial number of chromosomes is \( 2n \) and the final is \( n \).

Step2: Calculate the reduction amount

The reduction in the number of chromosomes is \( 2n - n = n \).

Step3: Calculate the percentage reduction

The percentage reduction is calculated using the formula \( \text{Percentage Reduction} = \frac{\text{Reduction Amount}}{\text{Initial Amount}} \times 100\% \). Substituting the values, we get \( \frac{n}{2n} \times 100\% \). The \( n \) cancels out, giving \( \frac{1}{2} \times 100\% = 50\% \).

Answer:

meiosis

Part 2: Calculating the percentage reduction in chromosomes