Topic 2.4- Meiosis and sexual reproduction Flashcards
What is meiosis?
A form of cell division that produces 4 genetically different haploid cells, known as gametes
What happens during meiosis I?
- Homologous chromosomes pair to form bivalents
- Crossing-over (exchange of sections of genetic material) occurs at chiasmata
- Cell divides into two. Homologous chromosomes separate randomly. Each cell contains either maternal or paternal copy
What happens during meiosis II?
- Independent segregation of sister chromatids
2. Each cell divides again, producing 4 haploid cells
How does meiosis produce genetic variation?
-crossing over during meiosis I
-independent assortment (random segregation) of homologous chromosomes + sister chromatids
result in new combinations of alleles
What is a chromosome mutation?
involves sections of a chromosome rather than a base types include: -deletion -inversion -duplication -translocation
What is a translocation mutation?
a mutation where one part of a chromosome breaks off and rejoins to another completely different chromosome, may be balanced or unbalanced
What is a non-disjunction mutation?
- chromosomes fail to separate correctly in meiosis
- gametes have at least one more (polysomy) or one less (monosomy) chromosomes than normal
Give examples of conditions caused by non-disjunction
trisomy-21= Down’s syndrome
X-monosomy of sex chromosomes= Turner’s syndrome
Name the 2 types of gametogenesis
- spermatogenesis to produce spermatozoa
2. oogenesis to produce ova
What are the primordial germline cells?
diploid precursors to gametes
Outline the stages of spermatogenesis
primordial germline cell —> spermatogonia —> primary spermatocytes —> secondary spermatocytes —> spermatids —> 4 spermatozoa
How do primary spermatocytes form?
Primordial germline cells of seminiferous tubules of testes divide by mitosis. forming spermatogonia
Growth period of spermatogonia without further division forms primary spermatocytes
How do spermatids form?
Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis to form 4 undifferentiated haploid cells
Meiosis I: 2 haploid secondary spermatocytes
Meiosis II: haploid spermatids
How do spermatozoa form?
Spermatids differentiate to gain flagellum, acrosome and many mitochondria
Outline the stages of oogenesis
Primordial germ cell —> oogonia —> primary oocyte —> secondary oocyte + polar body —> ootid + polar bodies —> 1 ovum
How do primary oocyte form?
Primordial germline cells in the ovaries and oviduct divide by mitosis, forming oogonia
Growth period of oogonia without further division forms primary oocytes, which remain in prophase I in follicles until puberty
What happens during the first meiotic division of oogenesis?
one secondary oocyte with all the cytoplasm forms
one polar body buds off and sticks to the oocyte
What happens during the second meiotic division of oogenesis?
Secondary oocyte divides into haploid ootid and polar body
polar body divides in 2
overall 3 polar bodies form. they degenerate as ootid develops
How does an ovum form?
Meiotic division in utero halts at prophase. Fertilisation triggers influx of Ca2+ This stimulates meiosis II to form ovum
Describe the structure of an ovum
- outer layer of follicle cells
- zona pellucida; coating above cytoplasm prevents polyspermy + hardens when cortical granules release chemicals
- haploid nucleus; fertilisation restores diploid chromosome number