MEIOSIS

REDUCTION DIVISION

Homework instructions
1. Draw a labelled and annotated
diagram showing the phases of
meiosis (on a double pg)

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Homework questions
1. Draw a labelled and annotated
diagram showing the phases of
meiosis (on a double pg)
Chromosomes consists
of DNA (which makes
up genes) and protein

The number of
chromosomes is
characteristic of an
organism (e.g humans
have 46 chromosomes).

Chromosomes which
are single threads
become double (two
chromatids joined by a
centromere) as a result
of DNA replication
CHROMOSOME NUMBER
 Chromosomes exists in sets
 A haploid cell (n) has ONE set of chromosomes while a diploid
cell (2n) has TWO
 In humans: n = 23 chromosomes and 2n = 46 chromosmes
 Gametes (sex cells) are haploid and Somatic cells (body cells)
are diploid
 Each human somatic cells has 22 pairs of autosomes and 1
pair of sex chromosomes (gonosomes), i.e. 44autosomes and
2 gonosomes.
 Gametes would have half the number, i.e 22 autosomes and 1
gonosome.
Karyotype: a representation of the number, shape and
arrangement of a full set of chromosomes in the nucleus of a
somatic cell

Normal Male Normal Female

REVIEW OF MITOSIS
What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is a special type of cell division that

halves the number of chromosomes.
Four genetically different haploid daughter
cells are formed from one diploid cell.
Where does meiosis occur

WHERE WILL MEIOSIS OCCUR IN PLANTS?

Forms Gametes/sex cells (n- Haploid) differ
from somatic/body cells (2n-Diploid)

Sperm and Ovum

How meiosis takes place

Two stages can be found in the process of meiotic cell division

Meiosis 1 : is a reduction division which results

in two cells being with half the number of
chromosomes (haploid)

Meiosis 2 : is a copying division which involves

the two haploid cells formed each dividing again
by mitosis, to form 4 haploid cells.
Note, meiosis is a continuous process and is divided into
phases for convenience.
 INTERPHASE
• DNA replication takes place
• Chromosomes which are single threads, become
double
• Each chromosome will now consist of two
chromatids joined by a centromere
• DNA replication helps to double the genetic
material so that it can be shared by the new cells
arising from cell division.
Homologous chromosomes: a pair of chromosomes of
the same shape, size and having similar genes for each
characteristic occupying the same position
 PROPHASE 1
• Centrosome splits into centrioles which move to
opposite poles forming spindle fibres.
• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus start to
disappear.
• Chromosomes become distinct.
• Crossing over takes place to introduce genetic
variation
 Crossing over takes place as
follows
• Homologous chromosomes lie next to each other
• (non sister/ inner) Chromatids of homologous
chromosomes overlap
• Point of overlap/touching is called the chiasma
(chiasmata plural)
• (Homologous pair of chromosomes are known as Bivalents only
when they are busy crossing over – Don’t stress about this)
• Chromatid segments break at the chiasmata
• Chromatid segments (genetic material) has now been
exchanged. This leads to variation
Paternal Maternal
origin origin Genetic material has
chiasma
been exchanged
ACTIVITY
PAGE 55
QUESTION 1.4.
METAPHASE 1
• Homologous chromosomes align at equator in
a random fashion and in homologous pairs,
attached to the spindle threads.
 RANDOM ARRANGEMENT
• Chromosomes are arranged randomly at the
equator. Different combinations of maternal and
paternal chromosomes can occur.
• This causes further genetic variation.

0
ANAPHASE 1
• Spindle fibres contract.
• Homologous chromosomes move apart
towards the poles. (as replicated
chromosomes)
• The cytoplasm starts to divide (cytokinesis)
 TELOPHASE 1
• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus reappears.
• 2 new cells have been formed.
• Each new cell has half of the chromosome
complement of the original cell (it is haploid).
• The cells are not genetically identical.
 (NB Meiosis 2 is similar to mitosis)

PROPHASE 2
• Same as prophase 1 only no crossing over.
• Notice the genetic variation and singular
chromosomes (no homologous pair)
METAPHASE 2
• Chromosomes aligned at the equator singly,
attached to spindle fibres.
• RANDOM ARRANGEMENT OCCURS (which
chromatid faces which pole is random)
ANAPHASE 2
• Spindle fibres contract
• The centromeres separate
• Two chromatids of each chromosome move
to opposite poles ( The separated
chromatids are now called unreplicated
chromosomes)
TELOPHASE 2
• Four daughter cells are produced (gametes,
in animals), each with a haploid set of
chromosomes The daughter cells are
genetically different
• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus
reappears.
ACTIVITIES

PAGE 47QUESTION 1 AND 2

PAGE 54-56 QUESTION 1.2 AND 1.5

 Importance/significance of meiosis
• Production of haploid gametes
• Halving of the chromosome number (diploid to
haploid)-the doubling effect of fertilization on
chromosome number of futuregenerations is
overcome, thus maintaining a constant
chromosome number to the next generation.
• Mechanism to introduce genetic variation
through:
-Crossing-over and
-The random arrangement of chromosomes at the
equator
Homework questions
1. List similarities between meiosis and
mitosis
2. Tabulate 4 differences between meiosis
and mitosis
ACTIVITY 1
PAGE 49
QUESTIONS 3,4 AND 5

PAGE 57
QUESTIONS 2.1. AND 2.3
ABNORMAL MEIOSIS
NON-DISJUNCTION
• When a chromosome/chromatid fails to
separate during anaphase I/II
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-DISJUNCTION
• Some gametes will have extra chromosomes
while others will have less
 Down’s Syndrome
• Non-disjunction in chromosome 21
• Normally occurs in human ovum but can also occur
in sperm cell
• One or more abnormal ova formed (n = 24)
• Fertilised by normal sperm (n = 23)
• Formation of abnormal zygote (2n = 47)
• The extra chromosome on pair 21 leads to downs
syndrome.

• It is a form of chromosomal
• mutation
Down’s syndrome
• Down's syndrome is
caused by the presence of
three copies of the 21st
chromosome.
• This chromosomal defect
is known as Trisomy-21.
• Down's syndrome almost
always results in mental
retardation, though the
severity of the retardation
varies.
Characteristics of Down syndrome

Epicanthic fold

Small, oblique eyes

Flattened, nasal bridge

Open mouth
Protruding tongue
Broad neck
Small
underdeveloped
ears set low on head
 Wide gap between
first and second toe

Incurved
finger

Single palmar
(“simian”) crease

Short broad
hands

The chances of Down Syndrome increase with the

mothers age.
ACTIVITY
PAGE 57 QUESTION 2.2

PAGE 59
QUESTION 3.2