5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis

Genetics Basics - Lesson 5: Meiosis

5.1 Meiosis Defined

Meiosis creates gametes (egg and sperm cells).

During meiosis, genetic information is exchanged between the

maternally and paternally inherited copies of a pair of
chromosomes in order to create new combinations of genes.
This process of genetic recombination helps to increase
genetic variability within a species. It allows for the
transmission of virtually limitless combinations of genes from
parent to offspring.

The resulting gametes have 23 new chromosomes, one

member of each of the 23 pairs, representing unique
combinations of the original maternal and paternal copies.

5.2 Meiosis Terminology—Homolog

Homologous chromosomes, or homologs, consist of the

members of any given chromosome pair. One member of the
homolog is the chromosome from the mother and the other
member is from the father.

During meiosis, homologs pair together.

5.3 Meiosis Terminology—Chromatid

A chromatid is formed during meiosis and is one of two

identical DNA strands formed after DNA synthesis.

Sister chromatids are from the same chromosome, and they

are connected together at the centromere.

The classic drawing of a chromosome shaped like the letter X

actually depicts sister chromatids.

hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 1/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis
5.4 The Two Parts of Meiosis—Meiosis I

Meiosis is divided into two parts: meiosis I and meiosis II.

In meiosis I, each chromosome in a cell is replicated to yield

duplicated sister chromatides for each member of the
homologous chromosomes.

Physical contact between chromatids may occur, resulting in

the formation of chiasmata (from the Greek khiasma: to
cross).

Chiasmata are thought to represent the process of crossing

over, or recombination, in which an exchange of DNA
between two of the four chromatids occurs.

A chiasma occurs at least once per chromosome pair. Thus, a

parental haplotype (the arrangement of many alleles along a
chromosome) will not remain intact upon transmission to an
offspring but, instead, will become a new combination of the
original maternal and paternal haplotypes.

Following the process of crossing over, at least two of the four

Click here to see an animation of the steps of
chromatids become unique, or unlike those of the parent. meiosis I
The cellular division in meiosis I is called the reduction division
because it results in the reduction of the chromosome number from diploid (cell has two copies of each chromosome, one
maternal and one paternal chromosome) to haploid (cell has only one copy of each chromosome, either maternally-derived or
paternally-derived chromosome). At this stage it is important to remember the remaining chromosomes are comprised of the
sister chromatids, which will separate in meiosis II.

5.4.1 Introduction

Most cells reproduce to form identical copies, or daughter cells, for the purpose of growth or repair. This process is called mitosis.
However, parental gametes – the sperm and egg cells – are unique from all other cells in that they reproduce through a process called
meiosis. The purpose of meiosis is to shuffle genetic information and cut the cellular chromosome number in half, from 46
chromosomes to 23 chromosomes. In this way, when an egg and sperm cell combine during fertilization, the resulting embryo will
inherit the appropriate amount of unique genetic information from each parent.

If sperm and egg cells were to divide and keep the same number of chromosomes that other cells do, then the resulting embryo would
have twice the normal number of chromosomes. For example, if a human egg and sperm each contained 46 chromosomes, then the
resulting embryo would contain 92 chromosomes– a chromosome number not compatible with normal development or survival.

The process of meiosis involves two divisions of the genetic material. The first division is called the reduction division – or meiosis I –
because it reduces the number of chromosomes from 46 chromosomes or 2n to 23 chromosomes or n (n describes a single
chromosome set). In humans, the reduction division results in two sperm cells each with 23 chromosomes or an egg cell with 23
chromosomes and one discarded polar body. The second division – or meiosis II – is called equational division. The two sperm cells
split again producing four sperm cells, each with 23 or n chromosomes. In oogenesis, the egg cell and polar body divide to form the
ovum and two additional polar bodies. In this way, the offspring are assured to get one half of the chromosomes from the mother and
one half from the father.

5.4.2 Interphase I

A cell that is not dividing is said to

be in interphase. It contains 23 pairs
of homologous or matching
chromosomes – one that was
inherited from the person’s mother
and one that was inherited from the
person’s father. When referring to
one of a pair of homologous
chromosomes it is common to refer
to this as a homolog, for short.
During Interphase I, the cell
duplicates its nuclear material. Each
homolog replicates, forming two
identical sister chromatids. At this
hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 2/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis
point in time, there is the equivalent
of 4 copies of each chromosome in
the cell. In reality, chromosomes are
not yet condensed enough to be
visible until the end of prophase 1.

1. Metabolically active cell with a diploid nucleus (2n=6).

2. DNA replication occurs.

5.4.3 Early Prophase I

In prophase I, the chromosomes become shorter and thicker

and more easily stained. They can now be viewed
underneath a light microscope. The sister chromatids are
joined at the centromere(see diagram). The nuclear
envelope begins to disappear.

1. Chromosomes become shorter and thicker.

2. The nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate.

5.4.4 Late Prophase I

Later in prophase I, homologous

chromosomes – for example, the
maternal chromosome #1 and the
paternal chromosome #1 – line up
next to one another in a process
called synapsis. An aggregate of
RNA and protein holds the paired
chromosomes together.
Homologous chromosomes switch
material in a process known as
recombination or crossing over,
which is mediated by the formation
of chiasmata. The two chromatids
attached at the chiasma exchange
parts. In this way some of the genes
originally on the father’s
chromosome are now on the
mother’s chromosome and vice 1. Chromosomes have become fully shortened and thickened.
versa. This shuffling process helps 2. Homologous chromosomes lie side by side (in a process called synapsis).
to create and maintain variation in a 3. The nuclear envelope disappears.
4. Spindle fibers begin to form.
species. The nuclear envelope
begins to disappear and spindle fibers begin to form at the poles of the cell.

hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 3/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis

5.4.5 Recombination

Homologous chromosomes switch materials in a process

known as recombination, or ‘crossing over’, which is
mediated by the formation of chiasmata.
The two chromatids attached to the chiasmata exchange
parts. In this way, some of the genes originally on the
father’s chromosomes are now on the mother’s
chromosomes, and vice versa. This shuffling process helps
to create and maintain variation in a species.

1. Recombination occurs.

5.4.6 Metaphase I

In metaphase I, the pairs migrate to

the equatorial plane of the cell. The
spindle fully forms and attaches to
the centromeres.
“The pattern in which homologs
align during metaphase I determine
the combination of maternally and
paternally derived chromosomes in
the progeny cells.
Each chromosome moves
independently of all the others – a
phenomenon called independent
assortment. For example, the copy
of chromosome 1 that a gamete
receives in no way influences if the
same gamete will receive the
maternally-derived or paternally-
derived chromosome 4. 1. Pairs of homologous chromosomes migrate to the equatorial plane of the cell.

5.4.7 Anaphase I

During anaphase I, the homologous chromosomes - each

consisting of two sister chromatids held together by a
centromere – separate and begin to move to the opposite
poles of the cell, pulled by the shrinking spindle fibers.

1. Homologous chromosomes (each consisting of two chromatids held

together by a centromere) move to opposite poles.

5.4.8 Telophase I
hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 4/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis
In telophase I, the movement of the homologous
chromosomes to the poles is completed. Remember that
although there is one of each type of chromosome at each
pole, there is a mixture of maternal and paternal
chromosomes due to the recombination that occurred during
prophase I. The spindle now disappears. Cytokinesis, or cell
division occurs, producing two haploid (n) daughter cells,
each with only one set of chromosomes (1n). However, the
chromosomes are still in their replicated state and consist of
sister chromatids. The cells move back into interphase,
marking the end of meiosis I.

1. Movement of chromosomes to the poles is completed. (Note: Although there is one of

each
type of chromosome at each pole, there is a mixture of maternal and paternal
chromosomes.)
2. The spindle disappears.
3. Cell division starts (a process called cytokenesis).

5.5 The Two Parts of Meiosis-Meiosis II

In meiosis II, the second phase of meiosis, the process is

identical to a mitotic (somatic cell) division, in which genetic
material is transmitted equally, identically, and without
recombination to daughter cells.

In contrast to a mitotic division, which yields two identical

diploid daughter cells, the end result of meiosis is haploid
daughter cells with chromosomal combinations different from
those originally present in the parent.

In sperm cells, four haploid gametes are produced.

In egg cells, meiosis results in a single haploid gamete, with

the remainder of the genetic material lost in the formation of
three nonviable polar bodies.

Click here to see an animation of the steps of

meiosis II

5.5.1 Interphase

In contrast to regular cell division, or

mitosis, this second interphase
takes less time. The chromosomes
uncoil into very thin threads and the
nuclear envelope reappears. Most
importantly, although proteins are
manufactured during this interphase
period, the genetic material is NOT
replicated a second time.

hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 5/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis

1. The chromosomes uncoil.

2. The nuclear envelope reappears, resulting in two haploid cells (n=3).
3. In contrast to regular cell division (mitosis), this interphase is briefer.
There is no DNA synthesis between the first and second meiotic divisions.

5.5.2 Prophase II

Prophase II marks the beginning of the second meiotic

division. Meiosis II is similar to mitosis in that each
chromosome consists of two sister chromatids attached at
the centromere. The goal of meiosis II is to separate the
sister chromatids.

1. Chromosomes again become thicker and shorter.

2. The nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate.

5.5.3 Prophase II

In prophase II, the chromosomes again become condensed.

The nuclear envelope begins to disintegrate. The
chromosomes, consisting of the two sister chromatids only,
begin to move to the equatorial plane of the cell. Spindle
fibers once again begin to form at the poles.

3. The chromosomes (consisting of two chromatids -- remember, the homologous

chromosomes separated during Meiosis I) begin to move to the equatorial plane.
4. Spindle fibers begin to form.

hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 6/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis
5.5.4 Metaphase II

During metaphase II the

chromosomes become aligned on
the equatorial plane and spindle
fibers attach to the centromeres.

1. The chromosomes become aligned on the equatorial plane.

2. Fibers of the spindle are reformed.

5.5.5 Anaphase II

In anaphase II, the centromeres divide, effectively separating

the sister chromatids, which move to the opposite poles as
they are pulled by the spindle fibers.

1. Centromeres divide, separating the chromatids, which move to the

opposite poles as chromosomes.

5.5.6 Telophase II

In telophase II, the movement of the chromosomes to the

poles is completed and the spindle disappears. In
spermatogenesis, nuclear envelopes form around the four
nuclei, which then separate into four individual spermatids.
In oogenesis, the ultimate result is one ovum and 3 polar
bodies, which are discarded.

1. The movement of the chromosomes to the poles is complete.

5.5.7 Telophase II

The result of meiosis II is the formation of four unique cells,

each carrying a new assortment of genes and
hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 7/8
5/6/2019 Genetics Basics Lesson 5: Meiosis
chromosomes, and each with half the number of original
chromosomes.

1. The movement of the chromosomes to the poles is complete.

2. The spindle disappears.
3. Cell division starts.

5.5.8 Summary

In summary, meiosis is a form of cell division that results in

half the normal number of chromosomes in sex cells, or
gametes, thus maintaining the chromosome number of a
species from generation to generation. Additionally, genetic
variability results from the recombination and independent
assortment of the genetic material.

1. The chromosomes uncoil and resume interphase appearance.

2. The nuclear envelope reappears, resulting in four haploid nuclei (n=3).
3. The second cell division completes, resulting in four haploid cells or gametes.

5.6 Review of the Genetic Consequences of Meiosis

In meiosis I there is a reduction of the chromosome number from diploid (two separate copies of each chromosome) to haploid
(one copy of each chromosome) during the formation of gametes.

There is a random assortment of the homologs.

Recombination (or crossing over) results in additional variety in the genetic material passed on to each cell.

hihg.med.miami.edu/code/http/modules/education/Design/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=5 8/8