Meiosis

Meiosis - General Overview

 Human body cells have 46 chromosomes,

2n
 Each parent contributes 23
chromosomes, n
 Takes place in sex cells (gametes): egg
and sperm
 One cell becomes 4 NON-IDENTICAL
cells
Meiosis – Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes and Chromosome Number

 Same length
 Same centromere position

 Carry genes that control

the same inherited traits
 One is from mother, one is
from father = a matching
set
Meiosis

Haploid and Diploid Cells

 An organism produces gametes to maintain the
same number of chromosomes from generation
to generation.
 Human gametes contain 23 chromosomes.
 A cell with n chromosomes is called a haploid
cell.
 A cell that contains 2n chromosomes is called
a diploid cell.
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 The sexual life cycle
in animals involves
meiosis.
 Meiosis produces
gametes.
 When gametes (n) are
combine in fertilization, the number of
chromosomes is restored to 2n.
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Interphase
 Chromosomes replicate.
 Chromatin condenses.
Interphase
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Prophase I
 Pairing of homologous
chromosomes occurs.
Prophase I
 Each chromosome consists of two
chromatids.
 The nuclear membrane breaks down.
 Spindles form.
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Prophase I
 Crossing over produces exchange of genetic
information.
 Crossing over—chromosomal segments are
exchanged between a pair of homologous
chromosomes.
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Metaphase I
 Chromosome
centromeres attach
to spindle fibers. Metaphase I

 Homologous chromosomes line up at the

equator.
Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Anaphase I
 Homologous
chromosomes
separate and move Anaphase I

to opposite poles of the cell.

Meiosis

Meiosis I
 Telophase I
 The spindles
break down. Telophase I

 Chromosomes uncoil and form two nuclei.

 The cell divides.
Meiosis

Meiosis II
 Prophase II
 A second set of
Prophase II
phases begins
as the spindle apparatus forms and the
chromosomes condense.
Meiosis

Meiosis II
 Metaphase II
 A haploid number
Metaphase II
of chromosomes
line up at the equator.
Meiosis

Meiosis II
 Anaphase II
 The sister
Anaphase II
chromatids are
pulled apart at the centromere by spindle
fibers and move toward the opposite poles
of the cell.
Meiosis

Meiosis II
 Telophase II
 The chromosomes
reach the poles, and Telophase II

the nuclear membrane and nuclei reform.

Meiosis

Meiosis II
 Cytokinesis results in
four haploid cells,
each with n number of
Cytokinesis
chromosomes.
Meiosis

The Importance of Meiosis

 Meiosis consists of two sets of divisions with
only Meiosis II having cytokinesis.
 Produces four haploid daughter cells that
are not identical
 4 sperm or 1 egg and 3 polar bodies
 Results in genetic variation
Meiosis

Meiosis Provides Variation

 Depending on how the
chromosomes line up at the
equator, four gametes with
four different combinations
of chromosomes can result.
 Genetic variation also is
produced during crossing
over and during fertilization,
when gametes randomly
combine.
 Mitosis vs Meiosis

Produces Produces
Sex Cells Body Cells
Gametes Somatic
Meiosis Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qpagEU36F_g&safe=active