MEIOSIS

Formation of gametes, division of the

sex cell (egg and sperm)
(Readapted from Slideshare):
1. Jay Swan
2. Karl Pointer
3. Mbrown
Chromosome Matching
 In humans, somatic cells (body cells) have:
• 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes
and
• one member of each pair from each
parent.
 The human sex chromosomes (Gonosomes)
X and Y differ in size and genetic
composition.
 The other 22 pairs of chromosomes are
autosomes with the same size and genetic
composition.
• Homologous chromosomes are matched in:
• Similar length,
• Centromere (attaches sister chromatids together)
position
• gene locations (locus).

• A locus (plural, loci) is the position of a gene.

• Different versions or variations (alleles) of a
gene may be found at the same locus on
maternal and paternal chromosomes.
 MEIOSIS
 The process to make cells with half the number of
chromosomes for sexual reproduction

 Usually humans and most animals and some plants have

diploid (2n) body cells. Meaning that they have two sets of
chromosomes (one from each parent)

 Meiosis occurs in our germ cells that produce gametes

(Sperm & egg)

• Meiosis results in four cells which are genetically different

from parent cell and from each other.

• The end products of Meiosis are 4 Haploid (n) cells

 Meiosis is a process that converts diploid
nuclei to haploid nuclei.
• Diploid cells have 2 sets of chromosomes.
• Haploid cells have 1 set of chromosomes.
• Meiosis occurs in the sex organs,
producing gametes—sperm and eggs.

 Fertilization is the fusion of a sperm and egg

cell.

 The zygote has a diploid chromosome

number, one set from each parent.
 Why do we need
Meiosis?
It is the fundamental basis of sexual reproduction

Two haploid (n) gametes are brought together

through fertilization to form a diploid (2n) zygote

If egg and sperm had the same number of

chromosomes as other body cells then the
offspring would have too many chromosomes.
Meiosis must reduce the chromosome number by half
(n)
Fertilization then restores the 2n number
Summary of the Meiotic
process
MEIOSIS has two distinct
stages
MEIOSIS I consisting of 5
phases:
 Interphase I, Prophase I,
Metaphase I, Anaphase I,
Telophase I.
 MEIOSIS II consisting of 4 phases
 Prophase II, Metaphase II,
Anaphase II, Telophase II.
MEIOSIS 1:
Interphase
 Cell build up
energy
 DNA Replication
(to make
duplicated
chromosomes
 Cell doesn’t
change
structurally.
MEIOSIS 1:
Prophase 1
 Prophase 1
in detail
 Events occurring in the nucleus:
• Chromosomes coil and become individual
chromosomes, nucleolus and nuclear envelope
disappear.
• Homologous chromosomes come together as pairs
by synapsis forming a tetrad (Each pair, with four
chromatids)
• Non-sister chromatids exchange genetic material
through the process of crossing over to ensure
genetic variation.
• Centrioli move to opposite poles with spindle fibers
between them.
 PROPHASE 1

• Early prophase 1 Late Prophase 1

 Homologous pair.  Chromosomes condense.
 Crossing over occurs.  Spindle forms.
 Nuclear envelope
fragments.
 Prophase 1: Crossing over
• Synapsis – the pairing of homologous
chromosomes
• Group of 4 chromatids
Homologous chromosomes Join to form a
(each with sister chromatids) TETRAD
Prophase 1: Crossing overHomologous
chromosomes in
a tetrad cross
over each other
- Genes are
exchanged
Crossing over
 Metaphase I
 Homologous pairs of
Spindle fibre chromosomes align along
attached to a
kinetochore the equator of the cell
 The two chromosomes
attach to one spindle
fiber by means of the
kinetochore of the
Metaphase centromere.
plate
Anaphase 1

Spindle fibers contact.

Homologous chromosomes separate and
move to opposite poles.

Sister chromatids remain

attached at their centromeres.
Telophase 1

Nuclear envelopes reappear

Spindle fibres disappear.

Cytokinesis (when the cytoplasm divides)

divides cell into two.
Telophase 1 and Cytokinesis
• Duplicated chromosomes have
reached the poles.
• A nuclear envelope and
nucleolus re-forms around
chromosomes.
• Each nucleus now has the
haploid number of
chromosomes.
• Cell invaginates forming a
cleavage furrow, which extends
to for 2 separate haploid cells.
Meiosis ii: prophase II

• Chromosomes coil and

become compact (if
uncoiled after telophase
I).
• Nuclear envelope and
nucleolus, if re-formed,
dissappears again.
• Centrioli move to
opposite poles, forming
spindle fibers between
them.
Meiosis ii: metaphase II
• Individual duplicated
chromosomes align on the
equator.
• One chromosome per
spindle fiber attached by
means of kinetochore of
centromere.
• Centrioli has reached the
poles.
Anaphase 2
- Spindle fibers
contract.
- Duplicated
chromosomes
split in half
(centromere
dividing in 2)
Sister chromatids separate and
move to opposite poles.
Meiosis 2: Telophase 2
• Daughter chromosomes
has reached the poles.
• Two cells invaginate and
form 4 daughter haploid
cells (gametes)
• They uncoil and form
chromatin.
• Nuclear envelope and
nucleolus for around
chromatin again.
• Centrioli for centrosome.
 MEOITIC DIVISION 2:
SUMMARY
Anaphase II Telophase II
Prophase II Metaphase II and Cytokinesis
Results of Meiosis
 Gametes (egg & sperm) form

 Four haploid cells (n) with one

copy of each chromosome

 One allele of each gene

 Different combinations of alleles

for different genes along the
chromosome
When Chromosome number is
altered
 An extra copy of chromosome 21
causes Down syndrome or also known
as TRISOMY 21.
 A. Trisomy 21
• involves the inheritance of three
copies of chromosome 21 and
• is the most common human
chromosome abnormality.
 Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) produces a
characteristic set of symptoms, which include:
1. mental retardation,
characteristic facial features,
2. short stature,
3. heart defects,
4. susceptibility to respiratory infections,
leukemia, and Alzheimer’s disease, and
5. shortened life span.
 The incidence increases with the age of the
mother.
Bibliography
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Dictionary of BIOLOGY (15th ed.). (E. Lawrence, Ed.)
(pp. 181-183). London: Pearson Education Limited.
• Livingstone, C. D., & Nobbe, M. E. (1998). The
Molecules of Life. Oxford: Biochemistry Department,
University of Oxford.
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Minrsky, P. V., & Jackson, R. B. (2011). Campbell Biology
(9th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
• Urry, L. A., & Cane, M. L. (2011). The Molecular Basis of
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