Meiosis Notes

Meiosis
Process of reduction division in
which the number of
chromosomes per cell is cut in
half through the separation of
homologous chromosomes in a
diploid cell; happens in gametes
(sex cells) sperm & egg
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Similar chromosomes, 1 set
from mom, 1 set from dad
Homologous
chromosomes
chromosomes that
have a corresponding
chromosome from the
opposite-sex parent (2
sets of chromosomes,
one from each parent)
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Diploid a cell that contains a
set of homologous
chromosomes (two sets of
chromosomes total);
represented by the symbol 2N
Found in somatic or body cells
(ex. Skin, digestive tract)
Example : Humans 2N = 46
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Haploid a cell that contains
only a single set of chromosomes
(one set); represented by the
symbol N or 1N
Found in gametes or sex cells
sperm & egg
Example: Humans N = 23
 Steps of Meiosis
Meiosis usually involves two
distinct divisions, called Meiosis I
and Meiosis II
By the end of Meiosis II, the one
diploid cell that entered meiosis
has become 4 haploid cells
 Meiosis I
Centrioles
Interphase I
Cell undergoes a
round of DNA
replication
forming duplicate
chromosomes

Nuclear Envelope Chromatin

 Meiosis I
Prophase CROSSING OVER
I SPINDLE

Each
chromosome
pairs with its
corresponding
homologous
chromosome
to form a tetrad
SISTER TETRAD
CHROMATIDS
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
As the homologous
chromosomes pair up and
form tetrads in Meiosis I,
they exchange portions of
their chromatids in a
process called crossing-
over
This produces
chromosomes with
different combinations
than the parents
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Genetic Variability - variation between
organisms of the same species

Crossing Over is a method of increasing

genetic variability since it helps produce
genetically unique sex cells in meiosis.
 Meiosis I
Metaphase I
Chromosomes attach
to the spindle fibers
and move to the
Middle of the cell
 Meiosis I
Anaphase I
The spindle fibers
pull the homologous
chromosomes
toward opposite
ends of the cell
 Meiosis I
TelophaseI&
Cytokinesis
Nuclear envelopes
form & the cell
separates into two
cells
 Meiosis II
Meiosis I results in two haploid (N)
daughter cells, each with half the
number of chromosomes as the
original cell
The two cells produced by meiosis I
now enter a second meiotic division,
but unlike the first meiotic division,
neither cell goes through a round of
DNA replication before entering
Meiosis II
 Meiosis II
Prophase II
Spindle fiber forms
from the centrioles and
the chromosomes
attach themselves
 Meiosis II
Metaphase II
Chromosomes line up in
the center of each cell
(similar to mitosis)
 Meiosis II
Anaphase II
The sister chromatids
separate and move
toward opposite ends
of the cell
 Meiosis II
TelophaseII &
Cytokinesis
Nuclear membranes
form and the cells
separate into 4 haploid
(N) daughter cells
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Meiosis produces gametes
Gametes haploid sex cells
(sperm and egg cells)
 VOCABULARY ALERT!!!
Gametes are different from somatic cells.

Somatic cells - diploid body cells.

Examples include skin cells, muscle cells,
blood cells, nerve cells, etc.
Somatic cells CANNOT pass on their DNA to
offspring.
 Gamete (Sex Cell) Formation

In male animals (including humans), the

haploid gametes produced by meiosis are
called sperm
4 sperm are produced from one meiotic
division
 Gamete (Sex Cell) Formation
In female animals
(including humans), the
haploid gametes
produced by meiosis are
called eggs
The cell divisions at the
end of meiosis I & II are
uneven, so that 1 large
egg is produced and the
other 3 cells produced,
called polar bodies, are
not involved in
reproduction.
 Meiosis Animation
Meiosis I Animation
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objec
ts/487/498728/CDA9_1/CDA9_1b/CDA9_1b.ht
m
Meiosis II Animation
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objec
ts/487/498728/CDA9_1/CDA9_1c/CDA9_1c.ht
m