Topic #7.

3: July 24-27, 2018

MEIOSIS
 What is Meiosis?
Reduces the amount of genetic information
The other type of cell division by which
gametes, with half the chromosomes, are
produced (one set of chromosomes)
Diploid (2n) to haploid (n)
Involves two successive divisions of a
diploid nucleus (Meiosis I and Meiosis II)
 What is Meiosis?
Sex cells divide to produce gametes (sperm
or egg)

Gametes have half the number of

chromosomes (haploid)

Occurs only in gonads (testes or ovaries)

Male: spermatogenesis

Female: oogenesis
 n=23
human
sex cell sperm
n=23
n=23

2n=46

n=23
diploid (2n) n=23
haploid (n)

n=23

Meiosis I Meiosis II
4
 Haploid
n=23 (1n)
human egg
sex cell
n=23

2n=46 Polar
Bodies
(die)
diploid (2n) n=23

Meiosis I Meiosis II
5
 Words to remember!
Synapsis: pairing of homologous
chromosomes forming a tetrad
Tetrad: 2 chromosomes or 4
chromatids
Crossing over: chromatids of tetrad
exchange parts/genetic material; this
allows greater variety in the gametes
nonsister chromatids Tetrad

chiasmata: site variation

of crossing over 15
 Words to remember!
Homologous Chromosomes
Pair of chromosomes (maternal and paternal) that are
similar in shape and size.
Homologous pairs (tetrads) carry GENES controlling the
SAME inherited traits (e.g. genes for the trait dictating eye
color)
Each LOCUS, p. LOCI (position of a gene) is in the same
position on homologues
Humans have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes:
a. First 22 pairs of autosomes
b. Last pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY)
Why are homologous chromosomes
not exact/identical replicas?
Homologous chromosomes

sister chromatids sister chromatids

STAGES OF MEIOSIS
 MEIOSIS I

Results in reducing the number of

chromosomes (reduction division)
 Meiosis I
Cell division that reduces the
chromosome number by one-half
Tetrads to Dyads
Four phases:
1. Prophase I
2. Metaphase I
3. Anaphase I
4. Telophase I
 Meiosis I
1. This stage is called reduction division
2. Synapsis and crossing over occur.
3. Homologous chromosomes then
separate
4. Next, chromosomes line up randomly
on the equatorial plate and separate
independently
5. Result: genetically unique gametes
 Meiosis I: Interphase I
Similar to mitosis
interphase
Chromosomes (DNA)
replicate in the S phase
Each duplicated
chromosome consist of
two identical sister
chromatids attached at
their centromeres
Nucleus and nucleolus
visible
 Prophase I
Longest and most
complex phase
Chromosomes condense
Synapsis occurs -
homologous
chromosomes come
together to form a tetrad
Tetrad is 2 chromosomes
or four chromatids (sister
and non-sister
chromatids)
 Metaphase I
Tetrads or
homologous
chromosomes
move to the
center of the
cell
 Anaphase I
Homologous
chromosomes
pulled to opposite
poles
Sister chromatids
remain attached at
centromere regions
 Telophase I
Dyads complete
their migration to
opposite poles
Daughter nuclei
formed
These are haploid
(1n)
 MEIOSIS II
Similar to mitotic division
Result: haploid daughter cells
No additional replication occurs
 Meiosis II
Separation of sister chromatids
Four phases:
1. Prophase II
2. Metaphase II
3. Anaphase II
4. Telophase II
 Meiosis I
1. This stage is similar to mitosis but does
not have a special name
2. Sister chromatics separate
3. Maintains the haploid, or monoploid,
number of chromosomes
4. Completes the goal of meiosis -
producing 4 genetically unique cells
from one original mother cell
 Prophase II

Spindle
fibers form
again
Dyads
contract
 Metaphase II
Sister
chromatid move
to the center
Centromeres
are directed to
the equatorial
plat and then
divide
 Anaphase II

Centromeres split
Individual
chromosomes
are pulled to
poles
 Telophase II & Cytokinesis
Monads are at the
poles, forming two
groups of
chromosomes
4 haploid daughter
cells results from
one original diploid
cell
 What are the
similarities and
differences
between mitosis
and meiosis?
 Mitosis and Meiosis

Both are forms of nuclear division

Both involve replication
Both involve disappearance of the
nucleus, nucleolus, nuclear membrane
Both involve formation of spindle
fibers
 Mitosis and Meiosis
Meiosis produces daughter cells that
have 1/2 the number of chromosomes
as the parent. Goes from 2n to n.
Daughter cells produced by meiosis are
not genetically identical to one another.
In meiosis, cell division takes place
twice but replication occurs only once
 Value of recombination and
variation
Recombination: the rearrangement of genetic
material, especially by crossing over in chromosomes
or by the artificial joining of segments of DNA from
different organisms
Variation: differences between members of a
population
Meiosis results in random separation of chromosomes
in gametes
Causes diverse population that over time can be
stronger for survival