 Normal human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, half

from each parent.

 Each of the 22 maternal autosomes has a homologous

paternal chromosome.

 Single , haploid(n) sets of chromosomes in ovum and

sperm unite during fertilization to form a diploid(2n) single
– celled zygote , which develops into a multi-cellular
organism by mitosis.
 At sexual maturity , ovaries and testes produce haploid
gametes by meiosis.

 Sexual life cycles differ in the timing of meiosis in relation

to fertilization.

 Multicellular organisms may be diploid(as animals) , or

haploid(as in most fungi) , or may alternate between
haploid and diploid generations (as in plants) .
 EVENTS MITOSIS MEIOSIS
DNA Replication occurs during Occurs once,
Interphase before during the
nuclear division interphase before
begins. meiosis I begins.

Number of One , including Two , each

Divisions prophase , including
metaphase , prophase ,
anaphase , and metaphase ,
telophase. anaphase , and
telophase.
 EVENTS MITOSIS MEIOSIS
Synapsis of Does not occur. Synapsis is unique
homologous to meoisis:During
chromosomes prophase I, the
homologous
chromosomes join
along their length,
forming
tetrads;synapsis is
associated with
crossing over
between nonsister
chromatids.
 EVENTS MITOSIS MEIOSIS
Number of Two, each Four, each
daughter cells and diploid(2n) and haploid(n)
genetic genetically containing half as
composition identical to the many
parent cell. chromosome as
the parent cell,
genetically
nonidentical to the
parent cell and to
each other.
 EVENTS MITOSIS MEIOSIS
Role in the animal Enables multi- Produces
body cellular adult to gametes; reduces
arise from zygote; chromosome
produces cells for number by half
growth and tissue and introduces
repair. genetic variability
among the
gametes.