Unit 10.3 Flashcards
What is meiosis?
A type of cell division that creates gametes.
What are homologous chromosomes?
a pair of chromosomes with similar size, shape, and genes, but are not exactly the same
What are sister chromatids?
identical copies of the same chromosome
What is fertilization?
the process in which two gametes become a zygote
What is asexual reproduction? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
a single parent produces identical offspring
PROS:
- can reproduce at nearly any time
- only requires one organism
CONS:
- all offspring are identical except for those affected by mutations
What is sexual reproduction? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
two parents produce offspring with a unique offspring
PROS:
- more variation in offspring
CONS:
- only females can produce offspring, limiting the amount of offspring that can be created
What are gametes?
reproductive / sex cells
What are somatic cells?
all cells in a living organism that aren’t gametes
What are haploid cells? (n)
a cell with a single set of chromosomes
What are diploid cells? (2n)
a cell with two sets of chromosomes
What is a tetrad?
a group of four chromatids that forms during meiosis - this is where crossing over occurs
What is synapsis?
when homologous chromosomes connect to form a tetrad
What is crossing over?
when two non-sister chromosomes share genetic information
What is independent assortment?
different genes separating and combining during meiosis to form unique cells
