Lecture - Meiosis - Student Version

Meiosis
Produces four daughter nuclei each with half the number of

chromosomes of the parent. The daughter cells are
genetically different.
By the end of this lecture you should be able to:
• describe with the aid of diagrams, the processes involved in meiotic

cell division;
• discuss how meiosis contributes to heritable variation;
• explain why sexually produced organisms vary in characteristics;
The principles behind meiosis
• Each of the cells of an adult of a species has a fixed number of
chromosomes, usually made up of pairs that control the same
characteristics.
• One of each pair is derived from the chromosomes provided in the egg by
the mother (maternal chromosomes) and the other of each pair is
derived from the chromosomes provided in the sperm by the father
(paternal chromosomes). These are known as homologous pairs and the
total number is referred to as the diploid number (2n); in humans this is
46.
• During meiosis each of the pairs are separated, so that only one enters
each sex cell or gamete. This is known as the haploid number (n) and in
humans is 23.
• When two haploid gametes fuse, the diploid number of chromosomes is
restored. The new cell formed is called a zygote and this then divides by
mitosis to maintain the diploid number in all further cells.
Chromosomes of a diploid cell
A karyotype is the number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a

eukaryotic cell.
Describe each of the three karyotypes below.
The stages of meiosis
The stages of meiosis
Questions
1. During which division, meiosis I or meiosis II, is the chromosome number
halved?
2. Which of these divisions would be possible? Explain your answers.
a) A diploid cell dividing by mitosis to form diploid cells
b) A diploid cell dividing by meiosis to form haploid cells
c) A haploid cell dividing by mitosis to form haploid cells
d) A haploid cell dividing by meiosis to form haploid cells
3. Name the stage of meiosis at which each of these events occurs. Remember
to state whether the stage is in meiosis I or meiosis II.
a) Homologous chromosomes pair to form bivalents.
b) Chiasmata form between chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
c) Homologous chromosomes separate.
d) Centromeres divide and chromatids separate.
e) Haploid nuclei are first formed.
How meiosis causes variation
• Independent assortment: during meiosis, the pairs of homologous
chromosome are divided in half to form haploid cells, and this
separation, or assortment, of homologous chromosomes is random.
This means that all of the maternal or paternal chromosomes will not
be separated into one cell.
• Crossing over: the exchange of alleles between chromatids of

homologous chromosomes as a result of chiasma formation during
prophase of meiosis I.
Other source of variation

• Random fertilisation: Any male gamete could fuse with any female
gamete.
Independent assortment
Independent assortment
Crossing over
Crossing over
Comparison of mitosis and meiosis
Questions
1. Which of the following statements is true of homologous
chromosomes?
a. During prophase of mitosis each chromosome is made up of two

identical structures called chromatids.
b. Homologous chromosomes move to the same pole during nuclear

division.
c. Homologous chromosomes have the same sequence of base pairing in

their DNA structure.
d. Only diploid cells contain homologous chromosomes.

2. Which of the following processes does not involve variation?
a. Independent assortment at metaphase
b. Structural changes on chromosomes as a result of mutations
c. The pairing of Y and X chromosomes
d. Chiasmata formation in prophase
3. Which of the following activities is not associated with metaphase 1 of

meiosis?
a. The bivalents move to the equatorial plate across the centre of the cell.
b. The paternal and maternal chromosomes in each bivalent position
themselves independently of the others.
c. The chromosomes are pulled towards the poles by the shortening of
the microtubules.
d. The microtubules attach to the centromere of each chromosome.
4. Which of the following is not a significance of meiosis?
a. The production of haploid gametes
b. Creation of genetic variety by random distribution of chromosomes
during metaphase 1
c. Creation of genetic variety by crossing over between homologous
chromosomes
d. Creation of a genetic variety by keeping the chromosome numbers the
same
5. Meiosis contributes to the heritable variation by which of the activities?

i. Crossing over ii. Independent assortment iii. Interphase iv. Cytokinesis
a. i and iv b. i and ii c. ii and iii d. i and iii

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Meiosis

Produces four daughter nuclei each with half the number of

• describe with the aid of diagrams, the processes involved in meiotic

A karyotype is the number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a

• Crossing over: the exchange of alleles between chromatids of

Other source of variation

a. During prophase of mitosis each chromosome is made up of two

b. Homologous chromosomes move to the same pole during nuclear

c. Homologous chromosomes have the same sequence of base pairing in

d. Only diploid cells contain homologous chromosomes.

3. Which of the following activities is not associated with metaphase 1 of

5. Meiosis contributes to the heritable variation by which of the activities?

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