Which process results in the formation of gametes in sexually reproducing organisms?

The formation of gametes in sexually reproducing organisms occurs through meiosis. This process is specifically designed to produce reproductive cells, or gametes, such as sperm and eggs in animals, and pollen and ovules in plants. During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is halved from diploid to haploid, ensuring that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will have the correct diploid number of chromosomes.

Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated into different cells, while meiosis II separates the sister chromatids. Through a series of phases that include crossing over and independent assortment, meiosis also introduces genetic variation, which is vital for evolution and the adaptability of species.

In contrast, processes like mitosis, binary fission, and cloning do not lead to the formation of gametes. Mitosis replicates somatic (body) cells for growth and repair, while binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction typically used by single-celled organisms like bacteria. Cloning replicates a genetic copy of an organism and does not involve sexual reproduction. Therefore, among the provided options, meiosis is indeed the correct answer for