a process of two consecutive specialized nuclear divisions leading to the formation of gametophytes —note generally, the first meiotic division reduces the chromosome number by half (2n to n) because, after pairing, one chromosome of each pair moves to one or the other daughter cell; in the second division, each chromosome of the newly formed haploid (n) daughter nuclei divides so that the end result of meiosis is four cells (the tetrad), each with half the original number of chromosomes —see chromosome set, Mendel's principles, mitosisThis definition last updated 10/27/2008