Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and Life Sciences Grade 12

GRADE
TERM 1 Week 4
TOPIC Meiosis
AIMS OF LESSON At the end of this lesson you should be able to know the following:
• Structure of a chromosome and associated terminology,
• Process of meiosis,
• Importance of meiosis
RESOURCES Paper based resources Digital resources
Refer to: Refer to pages 9 to 16 of the Mind the Gap Study
• Your textbook section on chromosomes and Guide:
meiosis. https://wcedeportal.co.za/eresource/112781
• The National Examination Guideline
document Click on the link below to watch a Telematics video
• The Mind the Gap Study Guide on meiosis:
• Past NSC examination papers https://bit.ly/2klX05k

INTRODUCTION • Revise mitosis and cell structure with emphasis on parts of the nucleus, the centrosome and the
cytoplasm
• Observe diagrams/micrographs of cells in selected stages of meiotic division
CONCEPTS AND Below are definitions of some of the terms that you Know the meaning of instructional verbs in test and
SKILLS will study under this section. Use the glossary in your examination questions e.g.
textbook to define these new terms/words (Note: At
least 2 marks are awarded if you can define a term
Instructional verb Meaning
correctly in a test or examination)
Name Give the name of something
Haploid cell- A cell where there is only one set of
chromosomes Differentiate Use differences to qualify
Diploid cell - A cell where there is a double set of between two or more categories
chromosomes Tabulate Draw a table and indicate the
Gametes – Sex cells e.g. ova and sperm which have answers as direct pairs.
a single set of chromosomes
Describe State in sentences the main
Somatic cells – Body cells which have a diploid
number of chromosomes points of a process
Gonosomes - The sex chromosomes in an organism Explain Give your answer in a cause-
Autosomes - Chromosomes that are not responsible effect or statement and reason
for sex determination sequence
Homologous chromosomes - A pair of chromosomes, Compare Give similarities and differences
that is inherited from each parent, that have the
between concepts
same genes at the same locus.
Cytokinesis - Division of the cytoplasm during cell
division

Study the following information on chromosomes,

mitosis and meiosis

Structure of chromosomes:

• Chromosomes consist of DNA (which makes

up genes) and protein.
• The number of chromosomes in a cell is a
characteristic of an organism (e.g. humans
have 46 chromosomes)
• Diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes,
where each chromosome has a homologous
partner.
• Haploid cells only have one set of Question 1:
chromosomes. 1. The diagrams below represent two phases of meiosis
• Chromosomes in haploid cells have no (Nov 2020 P1).
homologous partners.
• Before meiosis begins (during
interphase), DNA replication takes
place.
• Chromosomes which are single
threads become double (two
chromatids joined by a centromere)
as a result of DNA replication

1.1 Identify part A.

1.2 Identify the phase represented by diagram 1.
1.3 Describe the events that took place in the phase
before the one represented in diagram 2.
1.4 Name the process that causes the chromosomes to
have a combination of genes as shown in the diagrams.
1.5 Give ONE reason why the process named in QUESTION
1.4 is important.
1.6 If this was a human cell, how many chromosomes
would be present in the cell during the phase
represented in diagram 1?
1.7 Structure B and structure C are both chromosomes.
Explain why they are structurally different.
Question 2:
2. The diagram below represents ALL the chromosomes in
a cell that is undergoing normal cell division. (Nov 2020
P2)

2.1 Name the:

(a) Type of cell division that is occurring in the cell in the
diagram
(b) Phase of cell division during which the chromosomes
behave as shown in the diagram.
2.2 Where in the human female body would the type of
cell division named in QUESTION 2.1(a) take place?
2.3 Give the LETTER and NAME of the structure that
attaches to the spindle fibres.
2.4 How many chromosomes will be found in each
daughter cell at the end of this cell division?
2.5 Describe the events of anaphase II
 Revision of the process of mitosis: Question 3:
3. The diagrams below represent different phases of
meiosis in an organism (Nov 2019 P1)

3.1 Identify parts:

(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
3.2 Identify the phase represented in DIAGRAM 3.
3.3 Write down the numbers of the diagrams to show the
Meiosis: sequence in which the phases occur.
3.4 State ONE difference between metaphase I and
• Meiosis is a type of cell division whereby a metaphase II.
diploid cell (somatic cell) undergoes two cell
divisions, and divides to form four haploid cells
(gamete or sex cells).
• Meiosis takes place in the testes and ovaries
of animals and in the anthers and ovules of
plants

Note: Meiosis is a continuous process which is

divided into the first meiotic division (Meiosis
I) and the second meiotic division (meiosis II).
The events of meiosis are divided into Question 4:
different phases for convenience: The diagram below represents a phase of meiosis (June
2019 P1)
Events of interphase:
• DNA replication takes place
• Chromosomes which are single threads,
become double
• Each chromosome will now consist of two
chromatids joined by a centromere
• DNA replication helps to double the genetic
material so that it can be shared by the new
cells arising from cell division

First meiotic division (Meiosis I):

Prophase 1:

4.1 Identify the phase of meiosis in the diagram above.

4.2 Draw a diagram to show only the TWO gametes
formed from cell A.
4.3 Tabulate TWO differences between prophase I and
prophase II.

• During Prophase I the nuclear membrane and

nucleolus start to disappear.
• Spindle fibres develop between the centrioles
to form the spindle
• Chromatin network condenses into individual
chromosomes
• Pairs of homologous chromosomes lie next to
each other forming a bivalent.
 • Adjacent chromatids of homologous Question 5:
chromosomes overlap and touch each other The diagram below shows the structure of a
at a point called the chiasma (plural: chromosome. (Nov 2018 P2)
chiasmata) in a process called crossing over
• Chromatid segments break off and are
exchanged, resulting in the exchange of
genetic material.
• This process is called crossing over and it
brings about variation.

Metaphase I:

5.1 Identify parts B and C.

5.2 How many pairs of chromosomes are found in a
normal human somatic cell?
5.3 Give only the LETTER of the part that attaches to the
spindle fibres during cell division.

• During Metaphase I the homologous

chromosome pairs are arranged at the
equator of the cell in a random way with the
chromosome attached to the spindle fibre
• Which chromosome lies on which side of the
equator is totally up to chance.
• This is called random arrangement and brings
about further variation.
Anaphase I:
• During Anaphase I the chromosome pairs
separate and chromosomes move to
opposite poles – one to each pole
Telophase I:
• During Telophase I the chromosomes reach
the poles of the cell
Question 6:
6. The diagrams below represent a chromosome pair in a
female human cell. The cells (A, B and C) show different
events in a phase of meiosis, which are not necessarily in
the correct sequence. (March 2017 P2)
6.1 How many pairs of chromosomes occur in a normal
human cell?
6.2 Give labels for:
(a) Structure X
(b) Area Y
6.3 Name the organ in the human female where meiosis
occurs.
6.4 Name the:
(a) Process occurring in diagram B
(b) Phase represented by the diagrams above
(c) Type of cells that would result from meiosis of this cell
6.5 Arrange the letters A, B and C to show the correct
sequence of the events.
 • Each pole has half the number of
chromosomes present in the original cell.
• The cell membrane constricts and divides the
cytoplasm in half to form two cells.
Second meiotic division (Meiosis II):
Prophase II:
• During Prophase II the chromosomes are not
in pairs
• Nucleolus and nuclear membrane disappears
• A spindle forms
Question 7:
7. The diagrams below show two phases of meiosis in an
animal cell. (March 2016 P1)
7.1 Identify the phase represented by DIAGRAM B.
7.2 Explain why the homologous chromosomes in
DIAGRAM B have a mixture of genetic material from each
chromosome.
7.3 Name the phase that will follow the one represented
by DIAGRAM A.
7.4 Describe the events that take place in the phase
mentioned in QUESTION 7.3.
7.5 Name ONE place in a human male where meiosis
takes place.
Metaphase II:
• During Metaphase II the individual
chromosomes line up at the equator of each
cell, with the centromeres attached to the
spindle fibres
Anaphase II:
Question 8:
8. The diagram below shows the arrangement of two
pairs of homologous chromosomes in a cell undergoing
meiosis. (June 2017 P2)
8.1 State TWO characteristics of homologous
chromosomes.
8.2 Identify structure A.
8.3 How many of EACH of the following is present in the
diagram?
(a) Chromatids
(b) Centromeres
8.4 Draw a labelled diagram to show ONE of the cells that
would be formed at the end of telophase I.
 • During Anaphase II the spindle fibres contract
• The centromere of each chromosome splits
into two
• Two chromatids of each chromosome
separate and move to opposite poles

Telophase II:

• A new nuclear membrane forms around the

unreplicated chromosomes at each pole
• Cytokinesis splits the cells into two new cells
• Four cells, each with a haploid number of
chromosomes, have been formed.
 The importance of meiosis:
• Production of haploid gametes
• The halving effect of meiosis (from the diploid
to the haploid number) overcomes the
doubling effect of fertilisation, thus
maintaining a constant chromosome number
from one generation to the next
• Meiosis introduces genetic variation through
crossing over and the random arrangement of
chromosomes at the equator

Common errors made by learners in examinations:

• Unable to answer and interpret questions
based on chromosomes and meiosis
• Unable to correctly describe the events during
each phase of meiosis
• Unable to interpret and answer questions on
meiosis based on given diagrams

ACTIVITIES/ • Complete the questions in this lesson

ASSESSMENT
CONSOLIDATION • Work through the questions on meiosis in past NSC examination papers
• Reflect on your learning and understanding of this topic and assess your progress
VALUES By studying this section, you will develop an ability to critically evaluate and debate scientific issues, concepts
and processes.