MEIOSIS

Meiosis
The form of cell division by which gametes,
with half the number of chromosomes, are
produced.

Diploid (2n)

haploid (n)

Meiosis is sexual reproduction.

Two divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II).

Fertilization
The fusion of a sperm and egg to form a zygote.
A zygote is a fertilized egg

n=23
egg

sperm
n=23

2n=46
zygote

Meiosis
Sex cells divide to produce gametes (sperm
or egg).
Gametes have half the # of chromosomes.

Occurs only in gonads (testes or ovaries).

Male: spermatogenesis
Female: oogenesis

Meiosis is similar to mitosis with some

chromosomal differences.

Spermatogenesis
n=23
human
sex cell

sperm

n=23

n=23

2n=46
haploid (n)

n=23
diploid (2n)

n=23
n=23

meiosis I

meiosis II

Meiosis mouse testes

Parent cell
1st division

2nd division
4 gametes

Interphase I
Similar to mitosis interphase.
Chromosomes replicate (S phase).

Each duplicated chromosome consist of two

identical sister chromatids attached at their
centromeres.
Centriole pairs also replicate.

Interphase I
Nucleus and nucleolus visible.
chromatin

nuclear
membrane

cell membrane
nucleolus

Meiosis I (four phases)

Cell division that reduces the chromosome
number by one-half.
four phases:
a. prophase I
b. metaphase I
c. anaphase I
d. telophase I

Prophase I
Longest and most complex phase (90%).
Chromosomes condense.
Synapsis occurs: homologous chromosomes
come together to form a tetrad.
Tetrad is two chromosomes or four
chromatids (sister and nonsister chromatids).

Prophase I - Synapsis
Homologous chromosomes

sister chromatids

Tetrad

sister chromatids

Homologous Chromosomes
Pair of chromosomes (maternal and paternal) that are
similar in shape and size.
Homologous pairs (tetrads) carry genes controlling
the same inherited traits.
Each locus (position of a gene) is in the same
position on homologues.
Humans have 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes.

a. 22 pairs of autosomes
b. 01 pair of sex chromosomes

Karyotype
A method of organizing the chromosomes of a
cell in relation to number, size, and type.

Homologous Chromosomes
eye color
locus

eye color
locus

hair color
locus

hair color
locus

Paternal

Maternal

Humans have 23 Sets of Homologous Chromosomes

Each Homologous set is made up of 2 Homologues.
Homologue

Homologue

Autosomes
(The Autosomes code for most of the offsprings traits)

In Humans the
Autosomes
are sets 1 - 22

21 trisomy Downs
Syndrome

Can you see the

extra 21st
chromosome?

Is this person
male or female?

Sex Chromosomes
The Sex Chromosomes code for the sex of the offspring.
** If the offspring has two X chromosomes it will be a female.
** If the offspring has one X chromosome and one Y
chromosome it will be a male.

In Humans the
Sex
Chromosomes
are the 23rd set

XX chromosome - female

XY chromosome - male

Boy or Girl? The Y Chromosome Decides

Y chromosome
X chromosome

Crossing Over
Crossing over (variation) may occur between
nonsister chromatids at the chiasmata.
Crossing over: segments of nonsister
chromatids break and reattach to the other
chromatid.
Chiasmata (chiasma) are the sites of crossing
over.

Crossing Over - variation

nonsister chromatids

chiasmata: site
of crossing over

Tetrad

variation

Another Way Meiosis Makes Lots of

Different Sex Cells Crossing-Over

Crossing-over multiplies the already huge number of

different gamete types produced by independent

Sex Chromosomes

XX chromosome - female

XY chromosome - male

Prophase I
spindle fiber

aster
fibers

centrioles

Metaphase I
Shortest phase
Tetrads align on the metaphase plate.
INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT OCCURS:
1. Orientation of homologous pair to poles is random.
2. Variation
3. Formula: 2n
Example: 2n = 4
then n = 2
thus 22 = 4 combinations

Metaphase I

OR

metaphase plate

metaphase plate

Question:
In terms of Independent Assortment how many different combinations of
sperm could a human male produce?

Answer
Formula: 2n
Human chromosomes:

2n = 46
n = 23

223 = ~8 million combinations

Anaphase I
Homologous chromosomes separate and
move towards the poles.
Sister chromatids remain attached at their
centromeres.

Anaphase I

Telophase I
Each pole now has haploid set of
chromosomes.
Cytokinesis occurs and two haploid daughter
cells are formed.

Telophase I

Meiosis II
No interphase II
(or very short - no more DNA replication)
Remember: Meiosis II is similar to mitosis

Prophase II
same as prophase in mitosis

Metaphase II
same as metaphase in mitosis

metaphase plate

metaphase plate

Anaphase II
same as anaphase in mitosis
sister chromatids separate

Telophase II
Same as telophase in mitosis.
Nuclei form.
Cytokinesis occurs.
Remember:

four haploid daughter cells

produced.

gametes = sperm or egg

Telophase II

Meiosis
sex cell

n=2
sperm

n=2

n=2

2n=4
haploid (n)

n=2
diploid (2n)

n=2
n=2

meiosis I

meiosis II

Variation
Important to population as the raw
material for natural selection.
Question:
What are the three sexual sources of
genetic variation?

Answer:
1. crossing over (prophase I)
2. independent assortment (metaphase I)

3. random fertilization

Remember: variation is good!

Question:
A cell containing 20 chromosomes (diploid)
at the beginning of meiosis would, at its
completion, produce cells containing how
many chromosomes?

Answer:
10 chromosomes (haploid)

Fertilization
The fusion of a sperm and egg to form a zygote.
A zygote is a fertilized egg

n=23
egg

sperm
n=23

2n=46
zygote

Question:
A cell containing 40 chromatids at the
beginning of meiosis would, at its completion,
produce cells containing how many
chromosomes?

Answer:
10 chromosomes

Sources
www.ursulinehs.org/powerpoint/meiosi
s.ppt
www.biology4teachers.com/Cell%20Divi
sion/MEIOSIS.ppt
http://www.iteachbio.com/Life%20Scien
ce/LifeFunctionsandTheCell/Meiosis.ppt