4.6.1.2 Meiosis

Question 1

What is meiosis?

Answer 1

• formation of four non-identical cells from one cell

Question 2

Which cells divide by meiosis?

Answer 2

• cells in reproductive organs to form gametes

Question 3

What do gametes have (in terms chromosomes)?

Answer 3

• only one copy of each chromosome

Question 4

What do the cells first do when undergoing meiosis?

Answer 4

• make copies of its chromosomes, so it has double the amount of genetic information

Question 5

What happens after a cell copies its genetic information?

Answer 5

• divides into two cells, each with half the amount of chromosomes (46)

Question 6

What happens after a cell divides?

Answer 6

• it divides again, producing four cells, each with a quarter of the amount of chromosomes (23)

Question 7

What are the cells called after meiosis?

Answer 7

• gametes

Question 8

What are gametes?

Answer 8

• genetically different sex cells

Question 10

Why are gametes genetically different?

Answer 10

• chromosomes are shuffled during the process, resulting in random chromosomes ending up in each of the four cells

Question 11

How do gametes end up having 46 chromosomes again?

Answer 11

• gametes with 23 chromosomes join a fertilisation to produce a cell with 46 chromosomes

Question 12

What happens to the cell with 46 chromosomes (after fertilisation)?

Answer 12

• cell divides more by mitosis to produce more copies
• more cells are produced, resulting in an embryo forming
• cell begins to undergo differentiation