Topic 4-Meiosis Flashcards
What is a diploid cell?
-A cell containing two of each chromosome
What is the diploid number?
2n
What are alleles?
Chromosomes that make up each pair are the same size and have the same genes although they could have different versions of those genes.
What are homologous chromosomes?
Pairs of matching chromosomes that are the same size but could have different alleles
How many homologous pairs does a human have?
23 pairs
What is the diploid number for humans?
46
What are gametes?
The sperm cells in males and egg cells in females
Do gametes have a haploid number of cells or diploid?
Haploid
What is a zygote?
-In sexual reproduction two gametes join togther in fertilisation
-It then divides and devolps into a new organism
What happens during fertilisation?
-A haploid sperm fuses with a haploid egg
-This makes a cell with the normal diploid number of chromosomes
-Half of these chromosomes are from the father and are from the mother
Is fertilisation random in sexual reproduction?
-Yes
-Any sperm cell can fertilise an egg
What does random fertilisation produce?
Zygotes with different combinations of chromosomes from both parents
What is the effect of mixing genetic material in sexual reproduction?
-Increases genetic diversity within a species
Where does meiosis take place?
-In the reproductive organs of multicellular eukaryotic organisms
Cells that divide during meiosis are diploid, to begin with, but what are the cells that are formed from meiosis? Why?
-Haploid
-The chromosome number halves
Does meiosis in humans and mammals produce gametes directly?
Yes
In other organisms are gametes produced directly?
-No
-It produces haploid cells which later divide by mitosis to become gametes
Without meiosis what would happen when the gametes fused?
-You would get double the number of chromosomes
Step 1: What happens before meiosis starts?
-The DNA unravels and replicates so there are two copies of each chromosome called chromatids
(Organelles and centrioles replicate)
What happens during interphase 1?
-The cell grows, organelles are produced and the cell carries out its normal functions