All human body cells contain 46 chromosomes. However, sperm cells in men and egg cells in women have only 23 chromosomes. This is due to meiosis. How does meiosis accomplish the reduction in chromosomal number?
After the DNA is replicated, the cell undergoes two rounds of meiosis to produce 4 cells, each wIth 23 chromosomes. This is how the cell goes from a diploid to a haploid state.