Presentation on theme: "Meiosis.

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1  Meiosis

2  Learning targetsOne diploid nucleus divides by meiosis to produce four haploid nucleiThe halving
of the chromosome number allows a sexual life cycle with fusion of gametesDNA is replicated before
meiosis so that all chromosomes consist of two sister chromatidsThe early stages of meiosis involve
pairing of homologous chromosomes and crossing over followed by condensationOrientation of pairs
of homologous chromosomes prior to separation is randomSeparation of pairs of homologous
chromosomes in the first division of meiosis halves the chromosome numberCrossing over and
random orientation promotes genetic variationFusion of gametes from different parents promotes
genetic variationNon-disjunction events can cause Down syndrome and other chromosome
abnormalitiesStudies show age of parents influences chances of non-disjunctionMendel discovered
the principles of inheritance with experiments in which large numbers of pea plants were
crossedGametes are haploid so contain only one allele of each geneThe two alleles of each gene
separate into different haploid daughter nuclei during meiosisFusion of gametes results in diploid
zygotes with two alleles of each gene that may be the same allele or different alleles

4  Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction

Meiosis is the process by which an individual’s genome is reduced from two sets of chromosomes
(2n, the diploid number) to one set of chromosomes (n, the haploid number).The chromosomes are
isolated in special cells called gametes. These are the sex cells in the body. The non-sex cells are
known as somatic cells.Gametes are produced in specialized reproductive structures or organs.In
animals, gametes are produced by gonadal tissue.In meiosis, specialized cells called gametes are
made which have only one of each type of chromosome (therefore half of the chromosomes that a
diploid cell would have). We call this a haploid (n) number of chromosomes.In sexual reproduction,
two haploid cells fuse together to form a diploid cell. The new combination of genes from mother and
father are what we call genetic recombinations.Genetic recombination leads to variation within the
traits of a population and as we’ve learned before this, variation is necessary in order for natural
selection to occur.

5  Meiosis in GeneralThe goals of meiosis and sexual reproduction are to reduce the number of
chromosomes in two parents from diploid to haploid, place them in gametes (sex cells/ sperm and
egg), then fuse the sex cells and restore the diploid number in a new genetic recombination.Meiosis
and sexual reproduction work together. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number to half – so the
gametes are haploid. Then those haploid cells fuse together in sexual reproduction to restore the
diploid number. When two gametes fuse together, the resulting cell is called a zygote. The zygote
will go on to divide into multiple cells, which will eventually form the new organism.

6  Two Divisions, Not One Meiosis I Meiosis II

During Prophase I, the two homologs pair up in a process called synapsis.In Meiosis, there are two
divisions. The first division is called Meiosis I and the second division is called Meiosis II. In Meiosis
I, the homologous chromosomes are separated from each other. In Meiosis II, the sister chromatids
are separated from each other (just like what occurred in mitosis)

7  SynapsisMeiosis I:Just as our body cells go through the S phase of interphase before cell division
occurs, our germ cells do as well. This means that before Meiosis occurs, each chromosome is in its
duplicated form at the beginning of meiosis.In prophase I, the homologous chromosomes pair up.
You can see them touching each other in the image above. This is called synapsis. This is when
crossing over occurs.The spindle fibers attach to the homologous chromosomes (not sister

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chromatids), and pull them to line up together in Metaphase I. (This looks different than metaphase
in mitosis, because pairs of chromosomes are lined up – not individual chromosomes). In Anaphase
I, the homologous chromosomes are separated from each other. In Telophase I, chromosomes are
bundled into two new nuclei. Cytokinesis occurs during Telophase I as well.Notice that in the picture,
this particular cell has 4 chromosomes to begin with. This hypothetical organism, therefore, has a
diploid number of 4. At the end of Meiosis I, both new cells have 2 chromosomes – this means they
are already haploid cells.These chromosomes are in their duplicated state, therefore, so there will be
another round of nuclear and cell divisions – called Meiosis II.

8  Meiosis II:The two new cells, both already with a haploid number of chromosomes, now go
through one more round of nuclear and cell division. The steps of Meiosis II are the same as the
steps of Mitosis. Spindles attach to the chromosomes and begin to pull them into position (Prophase
I). The chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell (Metaphase I), the sister chromatids are pulled
apart at the centromeres (Anaphase I), and the new chromosomes form new nuclei (Telophase I) in
each new cell that divides from cytokinesis.

9  Nondisjunction- The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate

10  Crossing Over Between Homologous Chromosomes

Crossing over isthe process by which a chromosome and its homologous partner exchange heritable
information in corresponding segments.Occurs during prophase I when the homologous pairs are in
their tetrad arrangement.Crossing Over – When the homologous chromosomes are in synapsis
(during Prophase I), small pieces of the chromosomes are snipped by enzymes, exchanged with
each other, and resealed to form new combinations of genes on the chromosomes. This means that
some genes from the maternal chromosome will end up on the paternal chromosome, and vice
versa. When the homologous chromosomes are in synapsis, it is called a tetrad.Crossing over is
depicted in the image, where you see different colors swapped on the chromosomes. It’s important
to note that after crossing over occurs, each chromosome still has the same types of genes, but now
it may have a different version of the genes that it started with. This is because genes are located at
specific places on chromosomes and crossing over occurs between the same locations on both
homologous chromosomes.

11  Independent Assortment

12  Independent Assortment of Chromosomes into Gametes

Homologous chromosomes can be attached to either spindle pole in prophase I, so each homologue
can be packaged into either one of the two new nuclei.In this example, there are three pairs of
chromosomes, each with two possible ways to line up: 23 = 8 possible different nuclei.In humans,
random assortment produces 223 (8,388,608) possible combinations of homologous
chromosomes.Independent Assortment is a term that was first used by Mendel, who we will study in
Chapter 11. It refers to the fact that the homologous chromosomes are grouped together in new
gametes randomly. For example, in the hypothetical cell shown in the image, the germ cells begin
with 6 chromosomes – 3 pairs of homologous chromosomes.The image shows all the possible ways
that these chromosomes could line up during Metaphase I of meiosis. When you look at the four new
nuclei in each possible case, you can see that there are many different ways to combine the
maternal and paternal chromosomes of each of the three types of chromosomes.Since there are
only three pairs of chromosomes in this cell, this means there are 23, or 8, possible combinations of
chromosomes in the new nuclei.Imagine the different combinations in human cells, of which there
are 23 pairs. (223 possible combinations).That is a lot of possible variety.

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13  Crossing Over and Independent Assortment
Crossovers and the random sorting of chromosomes during Prophase I and Metaphase I in meiosis
introduce novel combinations of alleles into gametes, resulting in new combinations of traits among
offspring.Crossing Over and Independent Assortment, therefore, are both two processes that lead to
an increase in genetic variety in sexually reproducing offspring.Why is this beneficial???

14  Gamete Formation in Animals

MalesEnd product:4 spermFemalesEnd product:1 ovum and 3 polar bodiesWe know that meiosis is
necessary to form haploid nuclei, which are necessary in gametes. However, gamete formation is
slightly different in male and female animals.The description in the slide summarizes the differences.

15  A quick animation or two…

McGraw HillMeiosis Video

16  Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction

Variation is introduced through mutations.Reproduction is fast.Requires only one
parent.SexualVariation is introduced through mutation and genetic recombinationReproduction is
slower.Requires two parents (and extra energy expended on mating)

17  Goal of Sexual Reproduction

The goal of sexual reproduction is to produce one or more offspring from different parents that are
genetic recombinations of half of each parent’s two sets of chromosomes (genome).Offspring are
genetically unique from their parents or siblings, and this provides the raw material for Natural
Selection.In meiosis, specialized cells called gametes are made which have only one of each type of
chromosome (therefore half of the chromosomes that a diploid cell would have). We call this a
haploid (n) number of chromosomes.In sexual reproduction, two haploid cells fuse together to form a
diploid cell. The new combination of genes from mother and father are what we call genetic
recombinations.Genetic recombination leads to variation within the traits of a population and as
we’ve learned before this, variation is necessary in order for natural selection to occur.