Chromosomes, Mitosis and Meiosis

All sexual life cycles

Fertilization:
Union of egg
& sperm
Meiosis:
Cell division
that reduces
chromosome
number
haploid
diploid
When cells divide, they copy their
chromosomes
Normal cell proliferation: mitosis
DNA is replicated, chromosomes condense, line
up, and are pulled to 2 poles by the spindle
apparatus

2 daughter cells, each with an exact copy of the
mother cells chromosome set

One chromosome (uncopied) at G1 = 1 DNA double helix
A chromatid
Its sister chromatid
Centromere
Chromosomes:
- consist of DNA wrapped around proteins
- must be copied before a cell divides
- Copied in S (synthesis) phase of Interphase (both Mitosis and Meiosis)
One chromosome (copied) after S = 2 DNA double helices held together at
centromere.
Some more Review on Chromosomes
In humans, and many other eukaryotes, chromosomes come in
pairs (2n or 2 of each kind).

Except for the sex chromosomes (which can differ) the two
chromosome of each pair are Homologous: same size, shape,
arrangement of genes
Human Karyotype (2n = 46)
Corn Karyotype (2n = 20)
Review of Eukaryotic Cell Division Processes
Mitosis: reproduction of somatic/vegetative cells
Generates daughter cells which are genetically identical to
mother cell; same # of chromosomes (= same ploidy)
If mother cell is diploid, then daughter cells are diploid.
If mother cell is haploid, then daughter cells are haploid.
One equational (equal) division of duplicated chromosomes

Meiosis: occurs only in sex organs to produce gametes
Reduces chromosome number by half
produces genetically diverse cells
Two divisions: reductional, then equational to produce 4 haploid
daughter cells from one diploid mother cell (no DNA replication
between the 1
st
and 2
nd
division)
Why is it necessary to have reductional division and halve the #
of chromosomes in meiosis?




Before
DNA replication
(chromosomes
unduplicated); cell growth
chromosomes
are duplicated
Interval following
DNA replication;
cell prepares
to divide
Mitosis and the Mitotic Cell Cycle
G1, S and G2
are considered part
of Interphase.
(Karyokinesis & Cytokinesis)
Mitosis begins with
Prophase (does not
include Interphase)
Events of M-phase
Prophase
Interphase
Late Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Every daughter cell gets the right
number of chromosomes because:
all duplicated chromosomes line up at
metaphase.
for each chromosome, the 2 sister
chromatids get separated and pulled
to opposite poles of the cell.
every chromosome behaves
independently of the others.
Meiosis & Gametogenesis
Overview of Meiosis
produces sperm or egg cells (animals), spores (plants,
fungi)
occurs in specialized diploid cells called Meiocytes
As in mitosis, each chromosome of a meiocyte first
replicates so it contains two chromatids
Two rounds of division
Meiosis I = Reductional
Meiosis II = Equational
1 diploid (2n) mother cell 4 nonidentical haploid (1n)
daughter cells
Meiosis I vs Meiosis II Divisions
Meiosis I
Homologous chromosomes pair in prophase = Synapsis
Unique to meiosis I
Homologous Chromosomes separate during anaphase
One 2n cell two 1n cells

Meiosis II
Sister chromatids separate during anaphase

Two 1n cells (with duplicated chromosomes) Four 1n
cells (with unduplicated chromosomes)

Like mitosis in mechanics

Synaptonemal Complexes in
Prophase of Meiosis I
Image from Wikipedia
Central Element
Lateral
Elements
DNA
DNA
Each SC has two paired homologous
chromosomes (= 4 chromatids = 4 DNA
molecules)
Prophase of Meiosis I
Number of chromosomes = 2n = 4
Homologous chromosomes
have paired.
iGenetics, Figure 3.9
Events of Meiosis
Meiosis I (continued)
Homologous
Chromosomes
separate.
Homologous
Chromosomes
align together at
equator of cell.
Meiosis I (continued)
Each Nucleus is
now Haploid
even though
each chromo-
some still is in
duplicated state.
Meiosis II
Anaphase II:
chromatids separate.
The cells are haploid
throughout Meiosis II
Meiosis II (continued)
4 haploid cells;
each with chromo-
somes that are
now back to 1 DNA
molecule.
Spermatogenesis: differentiation into Male
Gametes
Meiocyte



Meiosis I



Meiosis II
Differentiation
All 4 haploid
spermatids
can become
sperm.
Oogenesis (General Animal)
Meiocyte



Meiosis I


Meiosis II
O
Only 1 cell from a given primary
oocyte will form an ovum and
mature into an egg. The other 3
haploid cells degenerate.
Fertilization:
Union of egg
& sperm
Meiosis:
Cell division
that reduces
chromosome
number
haploid
diploid
Generalized life cycle

Meiosis: special cell
division in life cycle
4 daughter cells, each
with the
chromosome set of
mother cell
Variation in life cycles
Animals:
diploid
Plants
Alternating
diploid, haploid
Fungi:
haploid
fertilization
meiosis
fertilization
fertilization
meiosis
meiosis
sporophyte
gametophyte
Mitosis
Meiosis