Meiosis and Genetic Variation Flashcards
What are the gametes foud in males?
Sperm cells
What are gametes found in females?
Egg cells
Why do gametes join together at fertilisation?
To form a zygote- this rapidly divides and develops into a new organism
What are diploid ?
Normal body cells having (2n) - cell contains two of each chromosome one from mother and father
What does it mean that gametes have a hapolid number?
(n) number of chromosomes
Only one copy of chromosome
What specifically happens at fertilisation?
Haploid sperm fuses with haploid egg
making a cell with normal diploid number of chromosomes
Half of chromosomes are from father (sperm) and half are from mother (egg)
How does gamete produce genetic diversity?
Fertilisation is random - any sperm can fertilise an egg
Random fertilisation produce a zygote with a different combination of chromosomes to both parents
Mixing of genetic material in sexual reproduction
Diagram of fertilisation
Where does meiosis take place?
Reproductive organs
What happens before Meiosis?
(Interphase I)
The DNA unravels and replicates
Two copies of chromosomes called chromatids - two centromeres
Nuclear membrane is present
Nucleolus is present
What happens in Meiosis 1- Early Prophase?
DNA condenses and becomes visible - double armed chromosomes each from two sister chromatids
Sister chromatids are joined together at the middle by a centromere
Centrioles begin to move
Nucleolus disappears
What happens in Meiosis 1 - Mid-prophase
- Homologous chromosomes pair up and lie along side each other (SYNAPSIS)
- Each pair claled a BIVALENT
- Centrioles move further towards poles
What happens in Meiosis 1 - Late Prophase 1
Chromatids tangle at a point called CHASMATA)
Chromosomes may break and rejoin
Crossing OVER occurs
Reformed chromatids called RECOMBINANTS
What happens in Meiosis 1 - Metaphase?
Nuclear membrane breaks down
Spindle forms
Bivalent moves to the equator and attach to the spindle by the centromere
What happens in Meosis 1 - Anaphase 1?
Contraction of spindle fibres pulls the whole chromosome towards opposite poles
Homologous chromosomes separate
What happens in meosis 1- telophase?
Nuclear membrane reforms around the set of chromosomes
Spindle fibres disappear
Centromere divides into two