Which type of reproduction is meiosis primarily associated with?

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of gametes—sperm and eggs in animals. This process is fundamental for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that when gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting offspring have the appropriate number of chromosomes.

In sexual reproduction, genetic material from two parents is combined, leading to genetic diversity in the offspring. Meiosis introduces variation through processes such as crossing over during prophase I and independent assortment of chromosomes, which are critical for evolution and adaptation.

The other options relate to different forms of reproduction. Asexual reproduction involves a single organism reproducing without the need for gametes, generally producing clones of itself. Binary fission is a type of asexual reproduction seen in prokaryotes, where a single cell divides into two. Regenerative reproduction pertains to organisms that can regenerate lost parts or reproduce from fragments, which is also distinct from the process of meiosis. Therefore, meiosis's primary association with sexual reproduction highlights its essential role in generating genetic diversity and enabling the formation of new life forms through the combination of genetic material from two parents.