Meiosis: the Basis of Sexual

Reproduction
 Sexual reproduction
 Produces offspring that contain a unique
combination of genes from the parents.

 Meiosis:
 Occur in reproductive organs called
Gonads (2n; diploid), and
 Produce Gametes (n; haploid)
Meiosis: the Basis of Sexual
Reproduction
 Gonads in Animals:
 Male= Testes  Gamete = Sperms
 Female= Ovary  Gamete = Ovum/ Egg cell

 Gonads in Plants:
 Male= Anther  Gamete = Pollen grain
 Female= Pistil  Gamete = Egg cell
Variations by Meiosis
Homologous chromosomes
 A human somatic cell has 46
chromosomes (23 pairs of
homologous chromosomes).
 They carry genes controlling the same
inherited characteristics (Trait).
 Eg. Eye colour (Brown/ Blue), Hair
colour (Black/ Brown), Ear lobe
(Attached/ Separate)
 Locus: Specific location of a gene on
chromosome
 Alleles: Two different forms of a gene located at the
same locus in homologous chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes

Karyotype
Meiosis
 It is the process of cell division that produces
haploid gametes in diploid organisms.
Meiosis
Meiosis - Interphase
 Complete in 3 stages:
 G1 phase
 S phase
 G2 phase
Meiosis-I: Prophase-I
 Chromatin fibers condensed
and form chromosomes with
sister chromatids.
 Centrosomes migrate towards
opposite pole, forming spindle
fibers.
 Nuclear membrane start to
disintegrate.
 Homologous chromosomes
align together in pairs to form
Tetrad. This process is called
Synapsis.
Meiosis-I: Prophase-I

 When chromosomes are synapsed, crossing-over

can occur between non-sister chromatids.
 Crossing-over is the exchange of equal sections
of DNA (chromatids) in homologous chromosomes.
Meiosis-I: Prophase-I

 The site of crossing-over is called a chiasma (Pl.

chiasmata).
 This recombination of maternal & paternal genetic
material is a key feature of meiosis resulting in
formation of genetically different gametes.
Meiosis-I: Metaphase-I
 For each homologous pair, the
spindle track attach from each
pole on the kinetochore protein
assembled on the outer surface
of centromere.
 Due to attractional forces of
spindle, the homologous
chromosomes are pulled and
align at the central equatorial
plane (Metaphase Plate).
Meiosis-I: Metaphase-I
 However, when aligned on
metaphase plate, the side-by-side
orientation of each homologous
pair of chromosomes is a matter
of chance.
 Every chromosome pair orients
independently of all the others.
 It is called “Independent
Assortment of Chromosomes”.
Meiosis-I: Anaphase-I
 Homologous chromosomes
get separated (segregation),
but centromere do not split.
 Each chromosome still
consist of two sister
chromatids.
Telophase-I & Cytokinesis
 Nuclear membrane start to
reform.
 Cytokinesis occur and
results in formation of two
daughter cells with haploid
chromosomes.
 Each daughter cell receive
one member of each
homologous chromosome.
Meiosis-II
 Include 4 distinct phases:
1. Prophase-II
2. Metaphase-II
3. Anaphase-II
4. Telophase-II
 All these phases are same as in Mitosis.
 In Anaphase-II, the centromeres split and
sister chromatid of each pair move towards
opposite pole.
 As a result, 4 daughter cells formed having
half chromosome number.
 All the events are same as
Mitosis division.
Origins of Genetic Variation
 Offspring of sexual reproduction are genetically
different from their parents and one another.
When Cell Division Goes Wrong
 Mitosis: Cancer
 Meiosis: Abnormalities