Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction

Introduction
• Sexual reproduction combines genetic information from
both parents.
• Each parent has germ cells that produce sex cells or
gametes through a process called meiosis. All other cells
in the body are called somatic cells.
• Each gamete is haploid, or n, containing one set of
chromosomes
• The two gametes fuse to form the zygote, or fertilized
egg.
– This fusion is called fertilization.
• The zygote contains two sets of chromosomes one from
each parent and is diploid, or 2n.
– These two sets of chromosomes are homologous, each
chromosome from the male has a corresponding one
from the female. They are similar in size, shape and
genetic content
 Homologous Chromosomes
• Homologues are different from
sister chromatids.
• Sister chromatids refers to the
duplicated chromosomes attached
at the centromeres

*Homologous- Biology Similar in

structure and origin, though not
necessarily in function, as the flippers of
a seal and the hands of a human.
 Ploidy – refers to the number of
sets of homologous chromosomes
in cells
● haploid – one copy of each
chromosome – designated as “n”
(gametes)
● diploid – two copies (= pair) of
each chromosome – designated as
“2n” (somatic cells)

Diploid organisms receive one of each

type of chromosome from female parent
(maternal chromosomes) and one of each
type of chromosome from male parent
(paternal chromosomes)
 Autosomes / Sex chromosomes
• 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes in humans.
One set from mother, one from father.
• The first 22 of these pairs are autosomes,
containing genes not directly related to the sex of
the organism
• One pair of sex chromosomes. In humans X and Y
– Not homologues, X larger than Y.
– XX is a girl, XY is a boy
– Do not carry the same genetic information
 What is Meiosis?
• In sexually reproducing organisms meiosis
involves two divisions of a diploid (2n)
eukaryotic cell that result in four haploid (n)
daughter cells, each with half of the genetic
material of the original cell.
• Meiosis has two rounds of cell division,
meiosis I and meiosis II each subdivided into
prophase, metaphase, anaphase and
telophase.
• Before meiosis begins the DNA has already
been replicated; meiosis begins with
homologous chromosomes
 Functions of Meiosis
• Meiosis is a process that occurs for the
following functions:
– To reduce the chromosome number
from diploid to haploid. This is called
a reduction division
– To ensure that each haploid cell has a
complete set of chromosomes
– To promote genetic diversity because
each cell is unique.
 Unique Features of Meiosis
– Synapsis- association in pairs of
homologous chromosomes at the
start of meiosis
– Homologous recombination
– Reduction division
Meiosis
 Meiosis I
• Meiosis 1 is preceded by interphase in
which the chromosomes have replicated
and each chromosome consists of two sister
chromatids
• The chromosomes will only replicate once
during meiosis
• Meiosis 1 will separate homologous
chromosoms producing two haploid cells
with duplicated chromosmes
 Prophase I
• Homologous chromosomes pair gene next to gene
along their entire length; called synapsis.
• Chromosomes coil, becoming compact and visible.
• Crossing over occurs
• the nucleolus disappears, the meiotic spindle
forms, and the nuclear envelope disappears.
 Metaphase I
• Homologous chromosome pairs
randomly line up along the cell
equator, spindle fibers connect
the kinetochores at the
centromere to microtubules
from the poles.
• The result is that the
homologues are mixed up along
the equator, thereby mixing up
genetic combinations
 Anaphase I
• Anaphase I the paired homologous
chromosomes separate from each
other; but each chromosome still
consists of two chromatids; homolgues
are pulled to opposite poles
 Telophase I
• The homologous chromosome
pairs reach the poles of the cell
• nuclear envelopes form around
the two nuclei
• Spindle fibers disassemble
• Cytokinesis produces two cells
• This results in two cells that
have a unique combination of
23 duplicated chromosomes
from both parents
 Meiosis II similar to Mitosis:

• Divides sister chromatids.

• No further replication of
chromosomes.
• The chromosomes become arranged
on the metaphase plate, similar to
mitosis, and are attached to the now
fully formed spindle.
 Prophase II
• Chromosomes condense
• nuclear envelope breaks down
• Centrioles move to opposite sides of cell
• the spindle apparatus forms
 Metaphase II
• Kinetocores of the paired, chromatids
line up across the equatorial plate
similar to mitosis
 Anaphase II
• Centromeres split, chromatids separate
and are now chromosomes
• Pulled to opposite polls.
 Telophse II
• the chromosomes gather forming nuclei
• The nuclear membrane forms
• The spindle breaks down
• Cytokinesis occurs and the cells divide.
• The result of meiosis is four haploid cells
Compare Mitosis to Meiosis
Mitosis Meiosis

Produces genetically Produces genetically

identical cells unique cells

Results in diploid cells Results in haploid

cells

Takes place Takes place only at

throughout life certain times

Involved in asexual Involved in sexual

reproduction reproduction
 Compare Mitosis to Meiosis
Mitosis Meiosis
One cell division Two cell division

Homologous Homologous
chromosomes never pair chromosomes pair up
up along the cell equator

In anaphase sister In anaphase I sister

chromatids separate chromatids remain
together
Meiosis and Mitosis compared

Good comparison