MEIOSIS AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
MORE GENETICS VOCABULARY!
sexual reproduction-requires two different parent cells and produces offspring that are
genetically different from each parent
homologous chromosomes-a pair of chromosomes that are the same size and shape, and carry
alleles for the same trait
homologous mates-duplicated pairs of homologous chromosomes
haploid-having a single stranded chromosome from each pair of homologous chromosomes (n)
eg.male sperm cells
female ova
diploid-having double stranded chromosomes that make up an homologous chromosome pair
eg. all somatic (body) cells like skin, etc.
tetrad-2 pairs of double stranded chromosomes, or 4 chromatids
Meiosis- aka reduction division, cell division in diploid cells that result in haploid cells.
-meiosis is divided into two parts
Stages of Meiosis I
Interphase-same as in mitosis, cell growth and duplication of chromosomes
Prophase I-a diploid set of chromosomes-(2n) duplicated to produce two sets of diploid
chromosomes-2(2n), but pairs do not separate
-pairs line up with their homologous mates to form a tetrad,
-this pairing process is called a synapsis
Metaphase I-centromeres of unseparated tetrads line up on the equator of the cell
Anaphase I- homologous pairs separate in a process called disjunction
-diploid set of homologous pairs move to opposite poles of the cell
Telophase I-end of meiosis I, the cytoplasm divides
-daughter cells have half the original amount of chromosomes
MEIOSIS I, RECAP:
counting chromatids
2n DUPLICATED TO 4n WHICH DIVIDE INTO 2(2n)
Meiosis II-exactly like mitosis, except two cells involved simultaneously
No Interphase II
Prophase II-daughter cells form spindles and double stranded chromosomes move toward the
cells equator
Metaphase II-centromeres of double stranded chromosomes line up at the cells equator
Anaphase II-centromeres divide and 2 chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles of
the cell
Telophase II-both diploid cells (2n) divide, forming 4 haploid cells (n)
-all cells return to resting stage (G1) of cell division cycle
MEIOSIS II, RECAP:
counting chromatids
2(2n) DIVIDE INTO 4(n)
MEIOSIS CHROMOSOME ACCOUNTS
Counting chromatids not chromosomes
2n
DUPLICATE TO 4n
WHICH DIVIDE INTO 2(2n)
WHICH DIVIDE INTO 4(n)
Synapsis-
Process by which genetic material is exchanged (during Prophase I of meiosis) between
homologous pairs of chromosomes.