General

Biology 1 12
General Biology 1 – Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Module 16: Meiosis
First Edition, 2020

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 General
Biology 1 12
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module16
Meiosis
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to General Biology 1 Grade 12 Self-Learning Module on Meiosis!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
 For the Learner:

Welcome to General Biology 1 Self-Learning Module on Meiosis!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS
Another type of cell division is Meiosis. If mitosis happens to replace old and
worn-out cells in almost all of our body, meiosis happens to produce gametes.
Meiosis produces 4 daughter cells that has half the number of the parent’s
chromosomes. These haploid (n) cells that made in meiosis are sperms and eggs.
When fertilization happens, these two haploid cells join and complete a diploid set:
a new genome.

Meiosis has two parts: Meiosis I and Meiosis II. We will discuss here both of
these parts. Let’s go!
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. define crossing over and recombination in meiosis;
2. describe the stages of meiosis;
3. compare mitosis and meiosis in terms of processes, role and daughter cells;
and
4. assume what could be the effect of unnoticed defects in meiosis.

PRETEST

Directions: Read the statements/questions comprehensively and choose the letter of

the best answer. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. This is the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of

homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
A. Chiasmatic B. Cytokinesis
C. Crossing Over D. Exchange over
2. This is the process by which pieces of DNA are broken and recombined to produce
new combinations of alleles.
A. Combination B. Combo Making
C. Recombination D. Recombined
3. Which of the following is a CORRECT statement about the stages in meiosis II?
A. The events in the stages are quite similar to that of mitosis
B. Telophase I is not existent as prophase II comes after anaphase I
C. It is totally different in mitosis because of the events in prophase I
D. It is also called as reduction division because of the number of
chromosomes
4. Which of the following is the difference between mitosis and meiosis in terms of
role in cell division cycle?
A. Mitosis is the cell cycle while meiosis is the cell division
B. Mitosis produces somatic cells while meiosis produces egg cells
C. Mitosis produces two daughter cells (2n) and meiosis produces four
daughter cells (4n)
D. Mitosis happens in cell growth and repair while meiosis happens in
producing sex cells
5. Suppose that in prophase I, the homologous chromosomes failed to undergo
synapsis. What do you think will happen?
A. Cell division will continue and will still yield to 4 daughter cells that are
genetically distinct from one another.
B. Cell division will continue and will still yield to 4 daughter cells that have
no recombination on the DNA.
C. Nothing. It is still meiosis as long as there are 4 daughter cells.
D. Nothing. There is no homologous chromosome in meiosis, only in mitosis.

RECAP
Activity 16.1

Directions: Examine the image of the onion root tip below. Draw and identify the
stages you can see below. Write your answers in your notebook.

LESSON

Stages in meiosis is almost the same with mitosis, like, replication of DNA and
preparation is still present in interphase. However, meiosis is not just one cell
division but two (meiosis I and meiosis II). These two divisions will have 4 daughter
cells having half as many chromosomes as the parent cell.

Though there are similarities with mitosis stages, we must be ready for the
differences especially with the terminologies and events.
 Meiosis (Kultys, 2008, figure 1)

Let us dive in on the stages of meiosis I.

Reduction Division

Meiosis I is also called reduction division because this is where the number of
chromosomes of the daughter cells are half of the parents’ chromosomes (haploid).
Same with mitosis, before proceeding with the cell division, the cell undergoes
growth, replication, preparation and checkpoints.

Meiosis I has also 4 stages namely: Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I,

and Telophase I. Let us know more about these phases.

Prophase I (Denham, 1937, figure 2)

Prophase I
This first stage is subdivided into 5 substages: leptonema, zygonema,
pachynema, diplonema, and diakinesis. Difficult terms, right? But let’s get to know
them one-by-one.
Leptonema is the first of the substages. In here, the chromosomes have coiled
and condensed. They are already visible under light microscope. The second
substage is the Zygonema. This is where the differences with mitosis begin: the
chromosomes pair up with its homologue partner (a chromosome that is similar in
physical attributes and genetic information to another chromosome). Look at the figure
3, that is an example of homologous pair (one from the mother and one from the
father). They pair up with their full length: aligned gene by gene. This event is called
synapsis (Figure 4). Next is Pachynema. This is where crossing-over happens (Figure
5): it is trade of parts between the homologues at specific regions. When crossing-
over happens, parts of the homologous chromosomes are recombined (genetic
recombination). Next is Diplonema where the tetrad (a pair of replicated chromosomes
temporarily joined to each other) begins to separate after the crossing-over and the
chiasma (chiasmata (pl) area of contact where crossover occurred) become evident
(Figure 6). And the last substage is the Diakinesis where the chromatids became
more condensed and the chiasma move towards the ends of chromosomes; also
called terminalization. This process delays the separation of homologous
chromosomes.

Figure 3. Homologous Chromosomes Figure 4. Synapsis

Chiasma

Figure 5. Crossing Over Figure 6. Crossing Over

showing chiasma
Gutierrez, 2018, fig. 3-5 and Pixabay, 2014, fig. 6

Aside from these substages, prophase I includes the disappearance of

nucleoli, breaking down of nuclear membrane, formation of spindle fiber and
movement of centrosomes.

After the prophase I, here comes the METAPHASE I. Just like in mitosis, the
centromeres lie at the metaphase plate. The difference here in meiosis I is that it is
the homologous pair that can be seen at the center and facing both sides of the poles.
Also, the kinetochore microtubules are attached to one of the kinetochores of the
homologous pair.

Next stage is the ANAPHASE I. This is where synaptonemal complex breaks

down, causing the homologous chromosomes to start separating and move towards
the opposite poles. Comparing it to mitosis, the sister chromatids in this stage are
still attached to each other.

Last stage is the TELOPHASE I with cytokinesis. The sister chromatids are
already at the opposite poles and each has the haploid number of parents’
chromosomes. Same with mitosis, cytokinesis also overlaps with telophase creating
a two haploid cells. Additionally, the chromosomes start decondensing and the
nuclear envelopes form.

Meiosis I and Meiosis II (Boumphrefyr, 2009, figure 7)

The result of meiosis I is two daughter cells with only one set of chromosomes
(haploid).

Now that the meiosis I is done and there are 2 haploid daughter cells, let us
continue the discussion with the second part; Meiosis II.

The events in meiosis II are almost similar to mitosis. One of the differences
is the number of chromosomes each daughter cell receives. Let us know more about
the stages of meiosis II.

Meiosis II is quite similar to mitosis not just because of the stages but because
of the events in it. Unlike in meiosis I where there is a homologous pair. Remember
that during the anaphase I, there are no more homologous pair since they are
separated.

After meiosis I, the two daughter cells will no longer undergo interphase and
would directly start meiosis II. As always, it will start with PROPHASE II. In this
stage, the spindle apparatus forms from the centrosomes. Also, the chromosomes
are still composed of two chromatids associated at the centromere (dyad).

Next stage is METAPHASE II. In here, the centromeres are positioned at the
metaphase plate, and the kinetochore microtubules are attached to the kinetochores
of each sister chromatids.
 In ANAPHASE II, the sister chromatids (monads) start separating from each
other as the proteins that hold them breakdown. The individual chromosomes move
towards the opposite poles of the cell as the microtubules shorten.

Last stage is the TELOPHASE II with cytokinesis. The individual

chromosomes are already situated at the poles of the cell. The nuclear membrane
starts to form together with cytokinesis where cleavage furrow happens. And the
chromosomes uncoil and extend.

Meiosis produces four (4) daughter cells that are distinct to each other and
from the parent cell. Each daughter cell has haploid set of chromosomes (n). Meiosis
produces gametes (egg cell for female and sperm cell for male) having haploid number
of chromosomes. In human, diploid is 2n=46, haploid is n=23.

Crossing over accounts for genetic variation since there is an exchange in

genetic material. This makes each individual human being unique.

MITOSIS VS MEIOSIS
Now that we have completed the discussion on mitosis and meiosis, let us
look at their similarities and differences. I know that you already have an answer or
answers in your mind, let us check if those are correct. Let’s go!

MITOSIS MEIOSIS
One nuclear division Two nuclear divisions
No synapsis and crossing over Has synapsis and crossing over
For growth and repairs of damaged and For reproduction (produces sex cells)
worn-out cells
2 daughter cells with same number of 4 daughter cells with haploid number
chromosomes as parents (2n) of chromosomes (n)
Genetically the same with parents and Genetically different from parent and
other cells other cells
Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction
Table 2. Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis

Table 2 shows the summary of mitosis and meiosis in terms of process:

mitosis only includes one nuclear division without genetic recombination while
meiosis requires two simultaneous nuclear divisions with synapsis and crossing
over. In terms of role in cell division, mitosis is generally for growth of the cells and
repairs of damages and replacing of worn-out cells while meiosis is for reproduction
since it is producing sex cells. And lastly, for the number of chromosomes of each
daughter cells, the 2 daughter cells from mitosis has the same number of
chromosomes as parents, which we call as diploid (2n) while meiosis produces 4
daughter cells that has half the number of chromosomes as parents.
 The main difference that we can identify to these two cell divisions is the
genetic composition of each daughter cells. Remember that in meiosis, genetic
recombination happened, where homologous pair synapse and exchange part of their
chromosomes. With this, the resulting daughters have an entirely different set of
chromosomes as compared to the parents and to other daughter cells.

ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 16.2

Directions: Based on the discussions above and what you remember, draw and
explain the events in prophase I.

ACTIVITY 16.3

Directions: Identify and name the stage shown and write at least 2 events in that
stage. Write your answers in your notebook.

Meiosis (Zifan, 2016)

Activity 16.4

Directions: Read this passage about recombination in meiosis and answer the
guide questions in your notebook.
From the article: The biological significance of meiosis of Holliday R (1984,
381-394)

The removal of epigenetic defects by recombination during meiosis

therefore becomes an essential part of a reprogramming and rejuvenation
process. Assuming some epigenetic defects are nevertheless transmitted to
the next generation, sexual reproduction and outbreeding would be
advantageous because they provide the opportunity for their removal at the
next meiosis. Inbreeding would be disadvantageous, because it increases
the probability that epigenetic defects would become homozygous and
could no longer be removed by recombination.
Guide questions:
1. In 4 to 5 sentences, explain the idea of Holliday in the article above.
2. Applying what you have learned in this module, explain the importance
of meiosis in human being.

WRAP – UP
Activity 16.5
Directions: Answer these three questions/tasks about the topics we have discussed
in this module. Don’t forget to explain/expound your answers. Write these in your
notebook.

1. How are chromosomes during metaphase of mitosis similar to and different

from chromosomes in a cell at metaphase of meiosis II?
2. Draw the main difference of anaphase in mitosis and meiosis I.
3. Assume that the homologous pair failed to separate during anaphase I, write
what could be the possible results of this.

VALUING
Activity 16.6
Situation:
In our surroundings, we see a lot of differences in every human being.
Differences in wealth, status, race, physical appearance, gender, and religious
affiliation. This unequal social system is mostly the root of unfair treatment to
individuals or certain groups. This is what we commonly known as discrimination.
But these differences make our environment more diverse. It’s just that some makes
it an issue or an opportunity to belittle other people making them superior over the
other.
 Think about your life inside the classroom. As a student, you might have
witnessed how students tease other students because of his/her (1) physical
appearance, (2) gender, (3) social status, (4) religious affiliation, and (5) wealth.

This makes the bullied student/s lose his/her self-confidence.

Questions:

1. How this diversity in human being important?

2. Is being different from majority of your surrounding okay? Explain.
3. Connecting it to our topic in this module, explain the importance of meiosis
specifically the crossing over and genetic recombination.

POSTTEST
Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the correct answer. Write your
answer in your notebook. Good luck!

1. Which of the following is NOT true about genetic recombination?

A. It involves crossing over during prophase I of meiosis
B. Two of the 4 daughter cells will contain one recombinant chromosome
C. It comes after the synapsis of homologous chromosomes
D. It will result to daughter cells with no distinct characteristics to other
cells
2. Crossing over occurs when the chiasma breaks and the segments from the
homologous chromosomes exchange. What is chiasma?
A. The point at which paired chromosomes remain in contact
B. The line-up formation of tetrad in metaphase plate
C. A chromosome
D. A combination of four sister chromatids
3. Which of the following is NOT correct about the events during prophase I?
A. Formation of tetrad
B. Chromosomes have coiled and condensed
C. Sister chromatids begins to separate after the crossing-over
D. The chiasma moves towards the ends of chromosomes
4. Meiosis II is similar to mitosis in that:
A. chromosomes synapse
B. the daughter cells are diploid
C. sister chromatids separate during anaphase
D. DNA replication happens before the cell division
5. Which of the following is the importance of genetic recombination in meiosis?
A. It would be a big help in cell repair
B. It would result to more cells being duplicated
C. It would yield upgrades in DNA composition
D. It would result to genetic diversity in a species or population
 KEY TO CORRECTION
Anaphase Prophase
PRETEST
1. C
2. C
Interphase
3. A
4. D
5. B
Telophase POSTTEST
Cytokinesis
1. D
2. A
3. C
ACTIVITY 1
4. D
Metaphase I, Anaphase 2, Prophase I, Anaphase I, Metaphase 2
and Telophase I 5. D

REFERENCES

Boumphrefyr. 2009. "Meiosis Stage 1 & 2." Wikimedia Commons. June 2. Accessed June 5,
2020. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meiosis.png.

Denham, Michael James. 1937. "The Chromosomes." Wikimedia Commons. Accessed June
5, 2020.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_chromosomes_(1937)_(20422387980
).jpg.

Doreen D. Domingo, PhD., Janet S. Estacion, Ph.D., Mary Jane C. Flores, Ph.D., Aileen C.
dela Cruz, Chuckie Fer Calsado, Nolasco H. Sablan and Justin ray M. Guce. 2016.
"Teaching Guide for Seior High School: General Biology 1." Commission on Higher
Education. Quezon City: Commission of Higher Education, June 16.

Gutierrez, Miguel. 2018. "Synapsis during meiosis." Wikimedia Commons. May 30. Accessed
June 5, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Synapsis_during_Meiosis.svg.

Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Waserman Peter V. Minorsky, and
Robert B. Jackson. 2011. Campbell Biology. Boston: Pearson.

Kultys, Marek. 2008. "Meiosis." Wikimedia Commons. July 02. Accessed June 05, 2020.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meiosis_diagram.jpg.

Pixabay. 2012. "Gene Cross Over." Pixabay. April 24. Accessed June 05, 2020.
https://pixabay.com/vectors/science-crossover-gene-genes-41525/.

R, Holliday. 1984. "The biological significance of meiosis." Europe PMC 381-394.

Reischig, Josef. 2014. "Root Meristem of Onion." Wikimedia Commons. March 11. Accessed
June 05, 2020.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitosis_(261_15)_Pressed;_root_meristem
_of_onion.jpg.

Zifan, Ali. 2016. "A Diagram of Meiosis Stage." Wikimedia Commons. June 21. Accessed
June 05, 2020. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meiosis_Stages_-
_Numerical_Version.svg.