Cell Cycle : Meiosis

What is Meiosis ?

A type of cell division that results in four daughter

cells each with half the number of chromosomes
of the parent cell, as in the production of
gametes and plant spores.

The sporophytes of green algae form spores only

by Meiosis"
 It involves two sequential cycles of nuclear and
cell division called Meiosis I & Meiosis II.
Interphase of Meiosis is similar to that of Mitosis.

Meiosis
 Steps in Meiosis I

Meiosis I

Prophase I Anaphase
Metaphase I Telophase I
I

Leptotene Zygotene Pachytene Diplotene Diakinesis

 Prophase I

It is longer and more complex than Prophase of

Mitosis

Often results in chromosomal crossover.

It has been divided into Following 5 phases on the

basis of chromosomal behavior :
 A Leptotene
Derived from Greek word Leptonema meaning "thin
threads.

Also called Bouquet Phase.

Chromosomes become gradually visible under light

microscope.
 B Zygotene

Derived from Greek word Zygonema meaning

"paired threads.

Homologous chromosomes start pairing together

and form Synaptonemal Complex or Tetrad by
Synapsis.
 C Pachytene
Derived from Greek word Pachynema meaning
Thick threads.

In this stage Recombination nodules appear.

CrossingOver occurs between non sister

chromatids of the homologous chromosomes.
 D Diplotene
Derived from Greek word Diplonema meaning "two
threads.

Dissolution of the Synaptonemal Complex occurs in

this stage.

Recombined chromosomes of the Tetrad separate

from each other except at the site of crossovers.
These X shaped structures are called chiasmata
 E Diakinesis

Derived from Greek word meaning Two threads.

In this stage condensation of Chromosomes & terminalisation of Chiasmata

Occurs.

Meiotic Spindle fibers assemble to prepare homologous chromosomes for

separation.

By the end of Diakinesis the Nucleolous & Nuclear Envelope disappears.

 Metaphase I

In this Phase the bivalent chromosomes

align on the equatorial plate

The microtubules from the opposite poles

of the spindle attach to the pair of
homologous chromosomes.
 Anaphase I

Thehomologous chromosomes separate

while the sister chromatids remain
associated at their Centromeres.
 Telophase I

Inthis phase of the cell cycle the Nuclear

Membrane & Nucleolus reappear.

Cytokinesis follows telophase I

 Steps in Meiosis II

Meiosis II

Prophase II Metaphase II Anaphase II Telophase II

 Prophase II

In this phase we see the disappearance of

the nucleoli and the Nuclear Envelope again
as well as the shortening and thickening of
the chromatids.
Centrosomes move to the polar regions and
arrange spindle fibers for the second
meiotic division.
 Metaphase II
Inmetaphase II, the centromeres contain
two kinetochores that attach to spindle
fibers from the centrosomes at opposite
poles.
The new equatorial metaphase plate is
rotated by 90 degrees when compared to
meiosis I, perpendicular to the previous
plate
 Anaphase II
Anaphase II, in which the remaining
centromeric cohesin is cleaved
allowing the sister chromatids to
segregate.
The sister chromatids by convention
are now called sister chromosomes as
they move toward opposing poles
 Telophase II

Telophase II, which is similar to Telophase I, and

is marked by decondensation and lengthening of
the chromosomes and the disassembly of the
spindle. Nuclear envelopes reform and cleavage
or cell plate formation eventually produces a
total of four daughter cells, each with a haploid
set of chromosomes.
Meiosis is now complete and ends up with four
new daughter cells
A ppt by : Nikhil Navariya