reduction of chromosomes
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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.
re·duc·tion of chro·mo·somes
(rĕ-dŭk'shŭn krō'mŏ-sōmz)The process during meiosis whereby one member of each homologous pair of chromosomes is distributed to a sperm or oocyte; the diploid set of chromosomes (46 in humans) is thus reduced to the haploid set in each gamete; union of the sperm and oocyte restores the diploid or somatic number in the one-cell zygote.