MEIOSIS 

● A type of cell division that takes place in the s​ ex cells (gametes)​. 

● Its main purpose is for the production of ​gametes  
● Formation of Gametes aka G ​ ametogenesis​ (​location:​ seminiferous tubules for males and 
ovaries for females)
o Spermatogenesis    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
o Oogenesis​ - 7 days formation of the egg cell, 7 days travel, 7 days staying in the uterus, 
until the release on the next 7 days 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terms to Remember 
● Synapsis  
- Fusion of chromosome pairs in the start of meiosis.  
- The process of pairing of homologous chromosomes. 
● Centromere 
- Region of the chromosomes which the microtubules of spindle attach, through 
the kinetochore, during cell division.  
● Chiasma/ chiasmata  
- A point where the paired chromosomes remain in contact during the first metaphase 
of meiosis 
- Where the exchange of genetic material takes place (crossing over) 
● Crossing Over​ (!!important!!) 
- It happens in the first stage of Meiosis; The chromosomes is replicated into two 
strands called sister chromatids 
- Switching of genetic trait 
PURPOSE:​ It is the reason why siblings do not share the exact same characteristics. It 
creates a new combination of genes. 
● Tetrads​ (four chromatids) 
- A group or set of four 
- The result of the pairing of homologous chromosomes 
 - Can only be formed through synapsis 
● Homologous chromosomes 
- Has the same genes at the same loci, but possibly different alleles. 
- A pair of chromosomes that have an aligned centromere containing a maternal 
and paternal chromatid joined together at the centromere 
- One chromosome is the original and the other is the replica 
● Sister chromatids  
- Identical copies (chromatids) formed by the replication of a chromosome, with both 
copies joined together by a common centromere. 
 

  
 
 
 
STAGES OF MEIOSIS 
STAGES 
MEIOSIS 1 – REDUCTION OF CHROMOSOME  ILLUSTRATION 
- Pure meiosis process  
- 2n → n 
Prophase 1​:   
 
1. The replicated chromosomes condense (become shorter and 
thicker) and become visible. 
2. The duplicated homologous chromosomes pair and crossing takes 
place (they intertwine with each other). At this point, each 
homologous chromosome pair is visible as a bivalent (tetrad) and 
the sites of crossing-over are called chiasmata. 
3. The nucleolus and nuclear envelope disappear. 
4. The disappearance of the nuclear envelope allows the spindle 
fibers to enter the nucleus. 
 
- Synapsis​ produces h ​ omologous chromosomes​ which are made 
of 4
​ chromatids aka tetrads 
 
Metaphase 1​: 
 
1. The pairs of chromosomes are attached to the metaphase plate  
2. Spindle fibers from one pole attach to one chromosome of each 
pair, and spindle fibers from the other pole attach to the other 
chromosome of each pair. 
 
- Will maintain homologous chromosome set-up (Only one 
chromosome is attached to the spindle fiber)   
Anaphase 1​:   
 
1. Third event of meiosis. The homologous chromosomes separate 
and move toward the opposite poles of the cells guided by the 
microtubules ​as a result of the action of the spindle. 
2. The sister chromatids remain attached at their centromeres and 
move together toward the poles. 
 
Telophase 1​:   
 
1. At each pole, during this stage, there is a complete haploid set of 
chromosomes (but each chromosome still has two sister 
chromatids). 
2. A cleavage furrow appears, and by the end of this stage the 
parent cell has divided into two daughter cells. 
 
- Wraps the chromosomes in nuclei to form 2 separate cells 
 
Interkinesis​: 
 
1. Is a period of rest that cells of some species enter during meiosis, 
between meiosis I and meiosis II. 
2. The single spindle of the first meiotic division disassembles and 
the microtubules reassemble into two new spindles for the second 
meiotic division. 
 
- Forms haploid cells because all 46 chromatids (23 chromosomes) 
come from either the mother or the father; not both. 
   
 
 
MEIOSIS 2 – NORMAL MITOSIS   
- n → n 
Prophase 2​: 
 
1. Chromosomes condense, spindles form, centrioles begin to 
separate, and the nuclear membrane fragments disperse. 
2. Unlike prophase I, the chromosomes do not attach to the nuclear 
membrane in order to exchange genetic information 

 
Metaphase 2​: 
 
1. The chromosomes become arranged on the metaphase 
plate, still organized as two attached sister chromatids 
2. Equivalent of Mitosis’ metaphase 
 
 
Anaphase 2​: 
 
1. The centromeres separate the sister chromatids 
2. Now the individual chromosomes move towards opposite poles of 
the cell. 
3. - its not chromosomes move to opposite poles its chromatid 
since they are not pair na   
Telophase 2​:   
1. Fourth stage of meiosis II 
2. The chromosomes reach opposite poles, cytokinesis occurs, the 
two cells produced by meiosis I divide to form four haploid 
daughter cells, each are have different DNA from each other 
(because of crossing over). 
3. Each daughter cell has 23 chromatids 
 
 
What is the major difference between meiosis 1 and meiosis 2? Explain clearly and 
scientifically. 
 
Meiosis 1 ends with 2 daughter cells while Meiosis 2 ends with 4. Meiosis 1 one begins with a diploid 
cell, while Meiosis 2 begins with 2 haploid cells. Also, genetic recombination (crossing over) 
happens only in meiosis 1. 
 
 
At what stage of the meiosis process that the cells become a haploid cell? Why? 
 
Cells become haploid in anaphase 2 when the spindle fibers pull the chromatids for the opposite 
poles. It is followed by telophase 2 and cytokinesis producing four haploid cells. H
​ aploid cells that 
are generated through meiosis, such as egg and sperm, only have 23 chromosomes, because, 
remember, meiosis is a "reduction division."It is done so that it could pair up with another haploid 
cell. 
 
If a parent cell has 46 chromosomes, how many chromosomes will be present in daughter 
cells after meiosis 1? After Meiosis 2? Why? Are the daughter cells considered haploid or 
diploid? Why? 
 
After Meiosis 1, a parent cell with 46 chromosomes will produce daughter cells that have __ 
After Meiosis 2, a parent cell with 46 chromosomes will produce daughter cells that have __ 
chromosomes.  
In both Meiosis 1 and 2, the daughter cells ar 
 
NOTES: 
- 2n (diploid) → n (haploid) 

Sources: 
https://www.wiley.com/college/test/0471787159/biology_basics/animations/meiosis.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/miracle/divi_text.html
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter3/animation__how_meiosis_works.ht
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