Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Meiosis Activity

Introduction
The process of producing gametes or sex cells (sperm and eggs) is called meiosis. Specialized
cells in the testes and ovaries form into these gametes.
In order to produce the gametes, there are
two divisions in meiosis. Meiosis I separates the
homologous pairs of chromosomes. Meiosis II,
the second division, separates the sister
chromatids. This results in four haploid cells of
which have half the number of chromosomes
compared to the parental diploid cell. That is, a
diploid cell (specialized cell) divides into four
haploid cells (gametes).
When meiosis is complete, and even
though they came from the same specialized cell,
the gametes will vary genetically. How is this
done? First, variation is added during prophase I when non-sister chromatids of a homologous pair trade
sections of their chromosomes. This is called crossing over. Second, during metaphase I there can be 2n
chromosomal combinations (the position of the chromosomes in the cell), where n is the haploid
number. For instance, in humans the haploid number is 23. Therefore, there will be 223 different
combinations or arrangements (that’s over eight million). These two methods of rearranging genetic
material in sex cells is the reason why siblings in a family look different (except for identical twins).
In this investigation, you will simulate the stages of meiosis by using a model (coins). As you
read through the procedure and directions for each meiotic step, you will draw and label important
occurrences. Read everything carefully.

Procedure
In this exercise you will model the process of meiosis by using two different colored beads. You
will need 14 of each color. A homologous pair of chromosomes is represented by one strand of each
bead color. Each strand of the pair is made of 7 beads and represents a chromosome that come from one
of the parents. The chromosomes of a homologous pair contain genes for the same traits (thus they are
the same lengths…same number of beads), but are not identical (they came from different parents).
In the following pages, follow the directions above each box then draw your chromosomes (the
strand of beads) after you have completed the directions. Drawings should be in color.

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Meiosis I
Directions for completing Figure 1:
Place one strand of colored beads (7 beads of the same color) on your desk. During interphase (S phase),
chromosomes copy themselves (DNA replication) so that each chromosome strand now doubles into
two strands or sister chromatids. Connect 7 more beads of the same color and connect the two sister
chromatids near their center. This is a double chromosome. Do the same with the other chromosome (the
other colored beads). Draw the homologous pair of doubled chromosomes in a cell below. See picture to
the right.

Figure 1: Interphase

Directions for completing Figure 2:

During prophase I, the homologous pair (each of the pair are doubled) move closer together so that the
sections of the chromatids can be swapped between the non-sister chromatids. This crossing over can be
simulated by removing a bead of one color from one chromatid and switching it with another bead of a
different color from a chromatid of the other chromosome. Draw the homologous chromosomes after
crossing over is complete in the cell below.

Figure 2: Prophase I

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Directions for completing Figure 3:

In metaphase I, the chromosome pairs line up in the center of the cell side-by-side. Position the
chromosomes side-by-side near the middle of the cell on your desk. Draw the chromosomes in the
correct position. Also, draw and label the centrioles and spindle fibers as they would attach to the
chromosomes.

Figure 3: Metaphase I

Directions for completing Figure 4:

During anaphase I, the homologous chromosomes are pulled to opposite sides of the cell. On your desk,
separate your chromosome pair. In this drawing, show the homologous pairs being separated by spindle
fibers in a cell.

Figure 4: Anaphase I

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Directions for completing Figure 5:

During telophase I, the cell begins to separate. It looks like a peanut in animal cells. Place each
chromosome at opposite sides of the cell. During cytokinesis I, the cell splits in half forming two
separate cells (called daughter cells). Notice that each chromosome within the two cells still consists of
two sister chromatids connected together (they are still doubled chromosomes). In this picture draw the
doubled chromosome in each of the two cells.

Figure 5: Telophase I/Cytokinesis I

Meiosis II
A second meiotic division is necessary to separate the sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
This will reduce the amount of DNA to one strand per chromosome (they are made into single
chromosomes again).

Directions for Figure 6:

DNA replication does not occur again (as it did in Interphase, S phase). In this picture draw the doubled
chromosome in each of the two cells. This picture looks the same as the cells in figure 5.

Figure 6: Prophase II

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Directions for Figure 7:

Orient the chromosomes so that they are centered in the middle of each daughter cell. Draw this below.

Figure 7: Metaphase II

Directions for Figure 8:

During anaphase II, the the sister chromatids in both cells are pulled apart to the opposite sides of the
cells. Do this with your beads. In this picture, draw the sister chromatids being separated by spindle
fibers in each cell below.

Figure 8: Anaphase II

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

Directions for completing Figure 9:

Place the chromosomes at opposite sides of the dividing cell. At this time a nuclear envelope forms and
the cytoplasm divides. Draw these four new cells with their single chromosomes in the nucleus. These
new cells are haploid (n) and are called gametes (sperm or eggs)

Figure 9: Telophase II/Cytokinesis II

Questions

1. Reviewing meiosis, complete the following chart.

Question Meiosis
Chromosome number of
parent cells?
Number of replications
(DNA replication)?

Number of divisions?

Number of gametic cells

produces?
Chromosome number in
the gametic cells?

Purpose of meiosis? To produce the sperm and eggs half of the genetic of the parent cells

2. What is the end goal of Meiosis I and Meiosis II?

Meiosis I - to separate homologous chromosomes.

Meiosis II -to separate sister chromatids

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Biology 102Name ___________________________ Period _____

3. Why is meiosis important in sexual reproduction?

half the original number of
chromosomes of the organism.

4. If an animal cell at the beginning of meiosis has 10 chromosomes, how many chromosomes will be
in the sex cells (haploid cells) after meiosis in completed?

5. Why are the chromosomes in all your body cells (diploid cells) in pairs (homologous pairs)?
The genetic material from a sperm and an egg fuses to create a single, full diploid set of chromosomes.

6. If an organism has 5 pairs of chromosomes, how many different arrangements of chromosomes are
possible in the gametic cells?

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