MEIOSIS
themselves side by side with a slight space
PROPHASE I
 Extended phase in which:
 pairing of homologous
chromosomes
 synapsis (close association of
homologous chromosomes)
 recombination of genetic material
on homologous chromosomes is
nucleus.
 The nucleoli reappear, and the cytoplasm
divides (cytokinesis) to form 2 daughter
cells.
 Cytokinesis begins with the furrowing of
the plasma membrane midway between
the poles of the mitotic spindle.
 The separation at the cleavage furrow is
achieved by a contractile ring -> very thin
array of actin filaments positioned around
the perimeter of the cell.
 Within the ring, myosin II molecules are
assembled into small filaments -> interact
with the actin filaments -> ring contracts.
 As the ring tightens, the cell is pinched into
2 daughter cells.
 The daughter cells are genetically identical
and contain the same kind and number of
chromosomes.
 (2d) in DNA content
 (2n) in chromosome number.
Prophase I is subdivided into the following
5 stages.
• LEPTOTENE: characterized by the condensation
of chromatin and by the appearance of
chromosomes.
 Sister chromatids also condense and
become connected with each other by
meiosis-specific cohesion complexes
(Rec8p).
 Pairing of homologous chromosomes of
maternal and paternal origin is initiated.
 Homologous pairing can be described as a
process in which chromosomes actively
search for each other.
 After finding their mates, they align
separating them.
• ZYGOTENE: synapsis, the close association of
homologous chromosomes, begins at this stage
and continues
throughout pachytene.
 This process involves the formation of a
synaptonemal complex: a tripartite
structure that binds the chromosomes
together.
 The synaptonemal complex is often
compared to railroad tracks with an
additional third rail positioned in the middle
between 2 others.
 The cross ties in this track are
represented by the transverse
filaments that bind the scaff old
material of both homologous
chromosomes together.
•PACHYTENE: at this stage, synapsis is complete.
 Crossing over occurs early in this
phase and involves transposition of
DNA strands between 2 different
chromosomes.
• DIPLOTENE: early in this stage:
 the synaptonemal complex dissolves
 chromosomes condense further
 homologous chromosomes begin to
separate from each other ->
connected by newly formed
junctions between chromosomes
called chiasmata (sing., chiasma).
 sister chromatids still remain closely
associated with each other.
 chiasmata indicate that crossing-
over may have occurred.
• DIAKINESIS: homologous chromosomes
condense and shorten to reach their maximum
thickness, the nucleolus disappears, and the
nuclear envelope disintegrates.
METAPHASE I
 Similar to the metaphase of mitosis except:
 paired chromosomes are aligned at
the equatorial plate with one
member on either side.
 Homologous chromosomes are still
held together by chiasmata.
  At late metaphase, chiasmata are
cleaved and the chromosomes
separate.
 Once the nuclear envelope has
broken down:
 the spindle
microtubules begin to
interact with the
chromosomes
through the
multilayered protein
structure, the
kinetochore: usually
positioned near the
centromere.
 The chromosomes undergo
movement -> align their
centromeres along the equator of
the spindle.

ANAPHASE I AND TELOPHASE I

 Anaphase I and telophase I are similar to
the same phases in mitosis except that the
centromeres do not split.
 The sister chromatids, held together by
cohesin complexes and by the centromere,
remain together.
 A maternal or paternal member of each
homologous pair, now containing
exchanged segments, moves to each pole.
 Segregation or random assortment occurs
because the maternal and paternal
chromosomes of each pair are randomly
aligned on one side or the other of the
metaphase plate -> genetic diversity.
 At the completion of meiosis I -> cytoplasm
divides.
 Each resulting daughter cell (a secondary
spermatocyte or oocyte):
 haploid in chromosome number (1n)
 contains one member of each
homologous chromosome pair.
 the cell is still diploid in DNA content
(2d).