Meiosis is performed in order to produce four gametes (sex cells). (1) is not correct because the eggs and sperm are NOT exactly the same. (3) is also not correct because I believe meiosis only produces 1 active egg cell and 4 active sperm cells. (4) is not correct. Thus, option (2) is correct because it is both true and valid. Since the cells that are produced are not identical, meiosis provides for genetic variation in the gametes produced by an organism. That reasoning also reasons out option (4).