Which of the following describes meiosis accurately?

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, primarily to produce gametes, which are the sperm and egg cells in animals. The defining characteristic of meiosis is that it reduces the chromosome number by half. This means that when a diploid cell (which has two sets of chromosomes) undergoes meiosis, it results in four haploid gametes, each containing one set of chromosomes. This reduction is crucial for sexual reproduction because it ensures that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid chromosome number, maintaining genetic stability across generations.

The process of meiosis includes two rounds of division, known as meiosis I and meiosis II, during which homologous chromosomes are separated and then the sister chromatids are separated. This systematic halving of chromosome numbers is essential for genetic diversity and proper distribution of genetic material.

Therefore, option C accurately captures the essence of meiosis by highlighting its role in producing gametes with half the chromosome number, which is critical for the continuation of species through sexual reproduction.