Meiosis B5 Flashcards
What is another name for gametes?
Sex cells.
Which cells types are examples of sex cells (gametes)?
Sperm and egg cells
What does the term ‘haploid’ mean?
A cell that only has half the normal amount of genetic material.
Are gametes haploid cells?
Yes they only contain 23 chromosomes.
How many chromosomes does a human gamete have?
23
What is meant by the term ‘diploid’
A cell that has the normal amount of genetic material.
What type of cell forms when two haploid cells join?
A diploid cell forms.
During the process of meiosis, how many times does the cell divide?
2
As a result of meiosis, how many cells are produced?
4
Are the cells produced by meiosis genetically identical to each other, or genetically unique?
Genetically unique because during meiosis there are tiny changes.
How are gametes produced?
Gametes are produced through meiosis. Firstly the cell replicates all chromosomes to add another arm to each chromosome to form an X shape. Then the two-armed chromosomes all line up along the centre of the cell and their left to right order is always random. The chromosomes then pull apart and the cell splits into 2, each half having a different combination of maternal to paternal chromosomes. Then the chromosomes line up in the centre of the 2 cells and split into 4 cells. These 4 genetically unique gametes contain 23 chromosomes each. They will go onto develop into sperm in males and egg cells in females.
