Why is it critical to divide the chromosome number in half prior to reproduction?

It is critical to divide the chromosome number in half prior to reproduction in order to make sure that there will be a balance amount of chromosome present.  There should be an equal number of chromosomes from each parent, if not, there will be some abnormalities.

It is important to divide the chromosome number into the half before reproduction because meiosis form cells that are destined to become gametes, and the reduction of chromosome number is critical because without it the union of gametes at the time of fertilization would result in an offspring, which have the double number of chromosome.

Hence, it is very important that the offspring has half the number of chromosome.