reduction division
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Related to reduction division: Equational Division
re·duc·tion of chro·mo·somes
the process during meiosis whereby one member of each homologous pair of chromosomes is distributed to a sperm or ovum; the diploid set of chromosomes (46 in humans) is thus reduced to the haploid set in each gamete; union of the sperm and ovum then restores the diploid or somatic number in the one-cell zygote.
reduction division
See meiosis.