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Meiotic chromosome replication is a bit more complicated than mitotic dividion. Egg and sperm (i.e., the germ line) are the only cells in the body to be formed through meiosis. The purpose of meiosis is to reduce the genetic material in the egg or sperm to half that required to make a living organism. So... why don't we end up with half-critters? Because the egg and sperm both contribute half the chromosomal material required to make up the full gentic code (i.e., 0.5 genetic material from mom + 0.5 genetic material from dad = 1.0 genetic material needed to make "Junior").