Meiosis Flashcards
What is the goal of Meiosis?
Goal: begin with a normal cell (2 copies of each chromosome) and end with a cell that has half the genetic content (1 copy of each chromosome) and is genetically unique.
Mitosis
Mitosis—new daughter cells are generated.
Produces identical cells
DNA is doubled during the process, and then divided to an identical amount.
For growth and replacement.
Meiosis
Meiosis–gametes are generated for sexual reproduction.
Produces cells that differ genetically.
Hereditary information reduced by one half.
For producing reproductive cells (gametes).
reduction division
division that halves the chromosome number
a diploid cell (in an ovary or testes) divides to produce haploid cells, gametes
How many chromosomes does a haploid have?
23 chromosomes for humans
(1n = 23 for humans)
possessing a single version of each chromosome type
How many chromosomes does a Diploid have?
46 chromosomes for humans
(2n = 46 for humans)
possessing two versions of each chromosome type
Which of the following statements about homologous chromosomes is incorrect?
A. Each chromosome has the same genes in the same order (X and Y is the exception)
B. One is inherited from the male parent and the other from the female
C. Each consists of two sister chromatids after the S phase of mitosis
D. Are the same in terms of DNA nucleotide composition
D. Are the same in terms of DNA nucleotide composition
Define gametes
Produced by special cells in ovaries and testes
sex cells such as eggs and sperm.
haploid, 1n chromosomes (one of each chromosome), ½ the amount of DNA
formed by meiosis
Define somatic cells
All other body cells in an organism
diploid in most, 2n chromosomes (two of each chromosome), full amount of DNA
formed by mitosis
Define Allele
Versions of a gene coding for a particular protein
Understand the term tetrad
Tetrad: a pair of homologous, duplicated chromosomes
How many sister chromatids are there in a tetrad?
4
What is crossing over?
The chromosomes exchange pieces of themselves to the other chromosome from the paternal and maternal chromosomes
This is the
Consequences of crossing over
Crossing over in the first phase of meiosis
At least one cross over in all 23 pair (several in the larger chromsomes)
Nearly infinite variation possible for the gametes produced
Consequences of Independent assortment
Independent assortment in the first phase of meiosis
each tetrad moves to the metaphase I plate independently of the other tetrads
the total number of possible outcomes = 2n (n = number of haploid chromosomes)
2^23 for humans, 8.4 million different ways (different gametes)
Explain why meiosis is called “reduction division,” and why it is necessary for gamete formation.
formation of gametes that are going to join in fertilization requires a reduction of the genetic material to ½
besides crossing over and independent assortment, meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes from 2 of each type to 1 of each type (2n to 1n, diploid to haploid)
otherwise, every generation would double the amount of homologous genetic information