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Questions Page 480 #s 1-5, 7, 9, 11

1. What is the purpose of meiosis?


The purpose of meiosis is to produce gametes that contain one
complete set of genetic information (genome) in the form of one set of
chromosomes. If somatic cells from individuals were to fuse to form an
embryo, each generation would have twice as many chromosomes as
the previous generation. In very few generation, the number of
chromosomes in the nucleus would become so large that the cells
could not function effectively.

2. Where does meiosis occur in organisms?


Meiosis occurs in specialized tissues in the gonads testes and ovaries
of animals of anthers or ovaries of plants.
3. What are homologous pairs and why are they important?
Homologous pairs are pairs of chromosomes that contain the same
genes DNA sequences that carry information about the same traits.
Homologous chromosomes carry one complete set of genetic
information from each parent. Therefore, genetic information from
each parent is passed on to future generations.
4. What characteristics of an egg cell and a sperm cell are critical
to their ultimate function of combining to for a zygote?
Both egg cells and sperm cells contribute one complete set of genetic
information to the zygote. Egg cells are very large and contain enough
cytoplasm to support the growing embryo during the first several
divisions. Sperm cells are small, containing little more than a nucleus
in the sperm head and have a motile tail that gives them motility so
they can move to the location of the egg. In addition to the nucleus,
the sperm head has an acrosome that contains chemicals that allow it
to penetrate the surface of the egg cell so the nucleus can enter the
cytoplasm of the egg.

5. Compare and contrast each of the following pairs of terms.


a. Body cells and gametes
Body (somatic) cells are the cells that make up an individual
organisms. They contain two complete sets of genetic
information. Body cells are differentiated into many cell types
that give the organism its wide variety of functions. Gametes
carry one complete set of genetic information and are the sex
cells that fuse with other gametes and form a zygote and
therefore provide a mechanism to propagate the species.
b. Haploid and diploid
Haploid means half of the normal complement of
chromosomes. Diploid means a double set of chromosomes
or the normal number of chromosomes in somatic cells.
c. Sperm and egg
A sperm is a male gamete and an egg is a female gamete.
7. Which division in meiosis, I or II, is most similar to mitosis.
Write a brief explanation.
Meiosis II more nearly resembles mitosis than does meiosis I. in both
meiosis II and mitosis. Individual chromosomes containing two sister
chromatids align on the metaphase plate. Then the centromeres divide
and the sister chromatids become chromosomes and migrate to
opposite poles. The only difference between meiosis II and mitosis is
that in mitosis there are two sets of chromosomes and in meiosis II
there is only one set of chromosomes.
9. During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonium forms four
sperm. During oogenesis, however, only one viable egg is
produced from one oogonium. Explain in detail why this is the
case.
In placental mammals, the cytoplasm, of the egg cell must have
enough nutrients, enzymes, and organelles to support the early
embryo for the first several divisions until it implants in the uterine wall
and begins obtaining nutrients from the mothers bloodstream.
Therefore, during oogenesis, one of the daughter cells receives all of
the cytoplasm and develops into the mature ovum. The remainder of

the daughter cells, called polar bodies, never develops. Sperm cells
only contribute a nucleus to the zygote and do not need any
cytoplasm. Therefore, all four cells produced by meiosis in a
spermatogonium can eventually develop into mature sperm.

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