The scientific term for the process of cell division that produces gametes is meiosis. This specialized form of cell division reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse haploid cells from a single diploid cell. Meiosis is crucial for sexual reproduction, allowing for genetic diversity through the recombination of parental DNA. By producing gametes (sperm and eggs), meiosis facilitates reproduction, enabling evolution and adaptation in populations. Understanding meiosis is fundamental in genetics and biological research, especially in studying inheritance patterns.