MEIOSIS

Meiosis
The form of cell division by which gametes, with half the number of chromosomes, are produced.

Diploid (2n)

haploid (n)

Meiosis is sexual reproduction.

Two divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II).

Meiosis
Sex cells divide to produce gametes (sperm or egg). Gametes have half the # of chromosomes.

Occurs only in gonads (testes or ovaries).

Male: spermatogenesis Female: oogenesis

Meiosis is similar to mitosis with some chromosomal differences.

Spermatogenesis
n=23
human sex cell

n=23
2n=46

sperm

n=23
haploid (n)

n=23
diploid (2n)

n=23 n=23

meiosis I

meiosis II

Interphase I
Similar to mitosis interphase. Chromosomes replicate (S phase).

Each duplicated chromosome consist of two identical sister chromatids attached at their centromeres.
Centriole pairs also replicate.

Interphase I
Nucleus and nucleolus visible.
chromatin nuclear membrane

cell membrane
nucleolus

Meiosis I (four phases)

Cell division that reduces the chromosome number by one-half. four phases: a. prophase I b. metaphase I c. anaphase I d. telophase I

Prophase I
Longest and most complex phase (90%). Chromosomes condense. Synapsis occurs: homologous chromosomes come together to form a tetrad. Tetrad is two chromosomes or four chromatids (sister and nonsister chromatids).

Prophase I - Synapsis
Homologous chromosomes

sister chromatids

Tetrad

sister chromatids

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. Each locus (position of a gene) is in the same position on homologues. Humans have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes.

a. 22 pairs of autosomes b. 01 pair of sex chromosomes

Homologous Chromosomes
eye color locus eye color locus

hair color locus

hair color locus

Paternal

Maternal

Crossing Over
Crossing over (variation) may occur between nonsister chromatids at the chiasmata. Crossing over: segments of nonsister chromatids break and reattach to the other chromatid. Chiasmata (chiasma) are the sites of crossing over.

Crossing Over - variation

nonsister chromatids Tetrad

chiasmata: site of crossing over

variation

Sex Chromosomes

XX chromosome - female

XY chromosome - male

Prophase I
spindle fiber
centrioles

aster fibers

Metaphase I
Shortest phase Tetrads align on the metaphase plate. INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT OCCURS:
1. Orientation of homologous pair to poles is random. 2. Variation 3. Formula: 2n Example: 2n = 4 then n = 2 thus 22 = 4 combinations

Metaphase I

OR

metaphase plate

metaphase plate

Question:
In terms of Independent Assortment how many different combinations of sperm could a human male produce?

Answer
Formula: 2n Human chromosomes:
2n = 46 n = 23

223 = ~8 million combinations

Anaphase I
Homologous chromosomes separate and move towards the poles. Sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres.

Anaphase I

Telophase I
Each pole now has haploid set of chromosomes. Cytokinesis occurs and two haploid daughter cells are formed.

Telophase I

Meiosis II
No interphase II (or very short - no more DNA replication) Remember: Meiosis II is similar to mitosis

Prophase II
same as prophase in mitosis

Metaphase II
same as metaphase in mitosis

metaphase plate

metaphase plate

Anaphase II
same as anaphase in mitosis sister chromatids separate

Telophase II
Same as telophase in mitosis. Nuclei form. Cytokinesis occurs. Remember: four haploid daughter cells produced.

gametes = sperm or egg

Telophase II

Meiosis
sex cell

n=2
sperm

n=2

n=2
haploid (n)

2n=4 n=2
diploid (2n)

n=2 n=2

meiosis I

meiosis II

Variation
Important to population as the raw material for natural selection. Question: What are the three sexual sources of genetic variation?

Answer:
1. crossing over (prophase I)
2. independent assortment (metaphase I)

3. random fertilization

Remember: variation is good!

Question:
A cell containing 20 chromosomes (diploid) at the beginning of meiosis would, at its completion, produce cells containing how many chromosomes?

Answer:
10 chromosomes (haploid)

Karyotype
A method of organizing the chromosomes of a cell in relation to number, size, and type.

Fertilization
The fusion of a sperm and egg to form a zygote. A zygote is a fertilized egg

n=23 egg

sperm n=23

2n=46 zygote

Question:
A cell containing 40 chromatids at the beginning of meiosis would, at its completion, produce cells containing how many chromosomes?

Answer:
10 chromosomes