Meiosis

Meiosis is a
reductive
cell division.
It involves
two
divisions to
produce
four non-
identical
daughter
cells each
containing
half the
number of
chromosom
es of the
parent cell.

Meiosis
occurs in all
organisms
carrying out
sexual
reproductio
n. Meiosis
reduces the
number of
chromosom
es by half,
so that
when
fertilization
occurs, the
number of
chromosom
es would be
reestablishe
d. If meiosis
did not
occur,
fusion of
gametes
would result
in a
doubling of
the
chromosom
es for each
successive
sexually
reproduced
generation.

Genetic
Variation.
Meiosis
provides
opportunitie
s for new
combination
s of genes to
occur in the
gametes.
This leads to
genetic
variation in
the
offspring
produced by
random
fusion of the
gametes.

Comparison with Mitosis

  Mitosis  Meiosis

No. of divisions A single division resulting in two Two divisions resulting in four cells.
cells.

Events in Chromosomes do not associate with Paring of homologous

 Prophase each other. chromosomes.  

No chiasmata formed. chiasmata form between non-sister

chromatids of homologous
chromosomes.

Events in Individual chromosomes are Pairs of homologous chromosomes

metaphase arranged on the equator of the are arranged on the equator of the
spindle. spindle.

Events in Centromere splits and chromatids The chromatids stay joined and the
anaphase separate. homologous chromosomes separate.

Chromosome Daughter cells have the same Daughter cells have half the number
number in number of chromosomes. of chromosomes.
daughter cells

Genetic Daughter cells are genetically Daughter cells are genetically

variation in identical with each cell and with the different with each cell and with the
daughter cells parent cell. parent cell.

Occurrence May occur in all parts of the body. Meiotic division is restricted to the
gonads.

The process of meiosis consists of two parts, meiosis I and meiosis II. meiosis II is similar
to the processes of mitosis, and we will not touch on it. meiosis I, however, has some
fundamental differences from Mitosis.

These differences occur in prophase and metaphase. We will look into them in the next
a few pages.