Question

which comes first meiosis or fertilization

Answer 1

meiosis comes first, there wouldn't be any gametes to fertilize.

Answer 2

there wouldn't be any gametes to fertilize if meiosis didn't come first....

Answer 3

^ Exactly. Meiosis is when the cell replicates it's chromosomes and the homologous chromosomes cross over to exchange alleles, then separating into 2 genetically different cells, and then going through the same process (except interphase) to create 4 haploid daughter cells to be fertilized and made into diploid cells (as stated above).