A bicameral legislature refers to a legislative body that is made up of two separate chambers or houses. In this type of legislature, there is usually an upper house and a lower house, with each chamber having its own distinct functions and responsibilities. The upper house is typically seen as the more prestigious or powerful of the two chambers, while the lower house is usually more representative of the general population. The purpose of a bicameral legislature is to provide checks and balances on the legislative process, with each chamber providing a different perspective and ensuring that laws are thoroughly reviewed and debated before they are passed. In contrast, a one-chamber legislature, also known as a unicameral legislature, has only one house or chamber.