Exam 2: Cell division

Meiosis I + II
It is important that gametes are haploid since at fertilisation half the chromosomes come from
the male gamete (e.g. sperm cell) and half from the female gamete (e.g. ovum) in order to
produce a diploid zygote. Meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells during
sexual reproduction and involves two consecutive divisions.

 Meiosis I - where the chromosome number is reduced and crossing over takes place
 Meiosis II - where the two new haploid nuclei divide again in a division identical to that
of mitosis.

Like mitosis, meiosis is a gradual process but for convenience it is divided into the four phases
of prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase, these phases occurring once in each of the
two divisions. You are not required to describe the complete process of meiosis but to describe
the significance of the differences between mitosis and meiosis.

The first stage of prophase in meiosis is similar to prophase in mitosis in that the chromosomes
shorten and fatten and become visible under a microscope. However, in meiosis the
chromosomes associate in their homologous pairs.The pairing of the chromosomes is
called synapsis. Each pair of chromosomes, one from the mother and one from the father, is
called a bivalent.

Each bivalent consists of four strands made up of two chromosomes each divided into two
chromatids. These chromatids wrap around each other and then partially repel each other but
remain joined at points called chiasmata. At these points chromatids may break and recombine
with a different but equivalent chromatid. This swapping of pieces of chromosomes is
called crossing over and is a source of genetic variation.

During the first stage of metaphase of meiosis the pairs of homologous chromosomes arrange
themselves randomly on the equator of the spindle. Chance determines how the homologous
chromosomes are arranged on the equator and when they separate different combinations are
produced. This random distribution and consequent independent assortment of
chromosomes produces new genetic combinations.

Comparing mitosis and meiosis