Spotting experiment: 4

Meiosis in Onion Bud Cell or Grasshopper Testis through Permanent Slides

Aim:
To observe the stages of meiosis on onion bud cell or grasshopper testis through
permanent slides.
Materials Required:
 Permanent slides of meiosis
 Compound Microscope
Principle:
Meiosis is a type of cell division in which the number of chromosomes is halved
(from diploid to haploid) in the daughter cells, i.e., the gametes. The division is
completed in two phases, meiosis I and meiosis II. Meiosis I is a reductional
division in which the chromosomes of homologous pairs separate from each
other. Meiosis II is equational division resulting in the formation of four daughter
cells. Stages of meiosis can be observed in a cytological preparation of the cells of
testis tubules or in the pollen mother cells of the anthers of flower buds.
Procedure:
1. Place the slide on the stage of the microscope.
2. Look for dividing cells with lower magnification.
3. When dividing cells are located observe them under higher magnification
Observation:
The different stages of meiosis are observed along on the basis of the following
features.
 In Meiosis I, the pair of homologous chromosomes separates and the
diploid cell gets reduced to the haploid stage.
 Meiosis I is differentiated into many phases, that is, prophase I,
metaphase I, anaphase I, and telophase I.
Prophase I
In this stage, the chromosomes condense and move towards the center of the
cell. It consists of five different sub-phases:
The prophase I of meiosis occurs in the following stages:
1. Leptotene: This phase is the start of prophase-I. It is marked by the
condensation of the chromosomes.
2. Zygotene: In this phase the homologous chromosomes start pairing up,
called the synapsis. The synaptonemal complex starts building up. This
complex is required to hold the homologous chromosomes at a place close
to each other. Bivalent chromosomes are visible at this stage.
3. Pachytene: In this stage, this non-sister chromatids of homologous
chromosomes exchange their parts, the process is called the crossing over.
The attachment point of the crossing-over of the non-sister chromatids is
called chiasma.
4. Diplotene: The crossing-over process is completed by this stage. The
homologous chromosomes remain attached at the point of chiasma.
5. Diakinesis: The homologous chromosomes start to separate and
synaptonemal complex disappears. The nuclear membrane also disappears.
Metaphase I
The homologous chromosomes that contain two different alleles for each gene,
line up on the metaphase plate to be separated.
Anaphase I
The separated chromosomes are pulled towards the centrioles on either side of
the cell.
Telophase I
The chromosomes are completely pulled apart and new nuclear envelope forms.
Stages of Meiosis II
Prophase II
In this stage, the nuclear envelope disintegrates and centrioles develop.
Metaphase II
The chromosomes line up on the metaphase plate and the chromatids are on
either side of the metaphase plate.
Anaphase II
The sister chromatids separate and are known as sister chromosomes.
Telophase II
The cell divides into two and a new nuclear envelope surrounds the
chromosomes.