Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction Review Sheet

Sexual reproduction requires the processes of

Meiosis (cell division that results in the
production of gametes (sperm and egg cells
containing 1/2 the number of chromosomes)
and fertilization (the fusion of egg and
sperm cells producing a zygote containing
the normal number of chromosomes).
For humans, most cells in the body
contain 46 chromosomes. These are
called somatic cells.
For somatic cells, these chromosomes
can be grouped as matching pairs
(homologous chromosomes).
Homologous chromosomes contain
the same sequence of genes.
One member comes from the mother one
member comes from the father.
However, these genes may have slight variations.
Example: One chromosome may contain the
gene for blue eye color while the other
chromosome may have the gene for green eye
color.
Somatic cells are called diploid cells (2N); For
humans 2n=46 chromosomes.
Gametes are called haploid cells (1N); For
humans 1n= 23 chromosomes.
Type of
Reproduction
Cell
processes
Offspring
Makeup
Advantages Disadvantages
Asexual
Reproduction
Mitosis Genetic copy of
parent
Speed
Requires no
mate
No Diversity
Sexual
Reproduction
Meiosis &
Fertilization
Combination of
traits from
parents
Genetic
Diversity
Greater
adaptability
Slower
Need to find
mate
Asexual Reproduction=Binary Fission
Sexual Reproduction:
Meiosis
Occurs in the sex organs (testes in males; ovaries in females)
There is one DNA replication followed by two cell divisions
Produces 4 haploid (1N) daughter cells from one diploid (2N) parental cell
Each daughter cell contains only one member of each homologous pair. Produces
genetic variation by the processes of crossing over and random assortment of
chromosomes (see details below)
Details of Meisosis
Step 1: DNA duplicates in S cycle
Step 2: Meiosis 1: Homologous chromosomes separate
Prophase I:
Duplicated homologous chromosomes condense forming
a tetrad
Crossing over occurs: portions of homologous
chromosomes exchange DNA
Nucleus disappears and spindle fibers form (as in
mitosis prophase)
Metaphase I:
Tetrads align in middle of the cell: One duplicated
chromosome from each pair face opposite poles of the
cell
Independent assortment of chromosomes:
o Each pair of duplicated homologous
chromosomes align independently from each
other
Anaphase I:
One member of each pair of duplicated homologous chromosomes migrate to
each pole; sister chromatids remain attached to one another at centromere
Telophase I and Cytokinesis
Completion of chromosome migration and cytokinesis occurs
Have two haploid (1N) cells
Step 3: Meiosis II: Sister chromatids separate; Meiosis II is very similar to mitosis
Prophase II:
Spindle fibers reform and attach to duplicated chromosomes
Metaphase II:
Chromosomes align in middle of cell
Anaphase II:
Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles (like in mitosis)
Telophase II and Cytokinesis
Completion of chromosme migration and cell division
The result is 4 haploid cells (1N)
Comparison between Mitosis and Meiosis
What happens if meiosis goes bad? Nondisjunction
Chromosomes fail to separate properly (in anaphase I or II)
Results in too many or too few chromosomes
Example 1: Trisomy 21: Downs syndrome; 3 chromosomes 21 instead of 2
Example 2: Abnormalities in sex chromosomes