MEIOSIS

CELL DIVISION

LIFESPAN OF GAMETE CELL

Sperm can live inside the human
body anywhere from 24-72 hours..
Eggs usually live for about 24-48
hours.

Mitosis and Meiosis - A Comparison

Having studied the two types of cell divisions, mitosis and
meiosis, let us summarize the differences between them.
Mitosis Meosis Occurs in all somatic cells Occurs only in
reproductive (sex) cells Chromosome number remains same, i.e.,
diploid (2n), hence it is equational division Chromosome number
reduces to half, i.e., haploid (n), hence it is reductional division
Two daughter cells are produced Four daughter cells are produced
One cell division involves four phases Consists of two subdivisions: Meiosis - I and Meiosis - II each involving four phases.
Prophase - I is again subdivided into five sub-stages No crossing
over Crossing over takes place Daughter cells have identical
chromosomes to parent cell, i.e., genetic material remains
constant Daughter cells have chromosomes with combined
genetic material from both parents i.e., genetic variability occurs

INTERPHASE

PROPHASE 1

METAPHASE 1
Tetrads align at the
metaphase plate.
Note that the centromeres of
homologous chromosomes
are oriented toward the
opposite cell poles.

ANAPHASE 1
Chromosomes move to
the opposite cell poles.
Similar to mitosis, the
microtubules and the
kinetochore fibers interact
to cause the movement.
Unlike in mitosis, the
homologous chromosomes
move to opposite poles
yet the sister chromatids
remain together.

TELOPHASE 1

PROPHASE 2

METAPHASE 2

ANAPHASE 2

TELOPHASE 2

 Sister chromatids
-are two identical copies of a single
chromosome that are connected by a
centromere.

 Tetrad
Definition
noun, plural: tetrads
(1) (cell biology) A group of four closely
associated chromatids of a homologous pair
formed by synapsis.
(2) (genetics) The four spores of yeast.
(3) (chemistry) A tetravalent atom; a
quadrivalent element.
(4) A group consisting of four; the number four.