A process of nuclear division that consists of the division of the nucleus of a cell into two nuclei. This process allows cell differentiation that culminates when the cells can form a new individual of the species. In the first stage, homologous chromosomes pair up and separate during anaphase. These homologous chromosomes are the members of each chromosome pair, one of which is descended from the father and carries his version of the genes and the other member of the pair comes from and carries the genes of maternal origin. This type of division occurs in both males and females in the respective genital or reproductive organs and is where the male gametes or sperm are generated and in females, the oocytes.
