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  • Describe the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis
  • Describe cellular events during meiosis
  • Explain the differences between meiosis and mitosis
  • Explain the mechanisms within meiosis that generate genetic variation among the products of meiosis

Sexual reproduction requires fertilization    , the union of two cells from two individual organisms. If those two cells each contain one set of chromosomes, then the resulting cell contains two sets of chromosomes. Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes. Cells containing two sets of chromosomes are called diploid. The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell is called its ploidy level. If the reproductive cycle is to continue, then the diploid cell must somehow reduce its number of chromosome sets before fertilization can occur again, or there will be a continual doubling in the number of chromosome sets in every generation. So, in addition to fertilization, sexual reproduction includes a nuclear division that reduces the number of chromosome sets.

Most animals and plants are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes. In each somatic cell    of the organism (all cells of a multicellular organism except the gametes or reproductive cells), the nucleus contains two copies of each chromosome, called homologous chromosomes. Somatic cells are sometimes referred to as “body” cells. Homologous chromosomes are matched pairs containing the same genes in identical locations along their length. Diploid organisms inherit one copy of each homologous chromosome from each parent; all together, they are considered a full set of chromosomes. Haploid cells, containing a single copy of each homologous chromosome, are found only within structures that give rise to either gametes or spores. Spores are haploid cells that can produce a haploid organism or can fuse with another spore to form a diploid cell. All animals and most plants produce eggs and sperm, or gametes. Some plants and all fungi produce spores.

The nuclear division that forms haploid cells, which is called meiosis    , is related to mitosis. As you have learned, mitosis is the part of a cell reproduction cycle that results in identical daughter nuclei that are also genetically identical to the original parent nucleus. In mitosis, both the parent and the daughter nuclei are at the same ploidy level—diploid for most plants and animals. Meiosis employs many of the same mechanisms as mitosis. However, the starting nucleus is always diploid and the nuclei that result at the end of a meiotic cell division are haploid. To achieve this reduction in chromosome number, meiosis consists of one round of chromosome duplication and two rounds of nuclear division. Because the events that occur during each of the division stages are analogous to the events of mitosis, the same stage names are assigned. However, because there are two rounds of division, the major process and the stages are designated with a “I” or a “II.” Thus, meiosis I    is the first round of meiotic division and consists of prophase I, prometaphase I, and so on. Meiosis II , in which the second round of meiotic division takes place, includes prophase II, prometaphase II, and so on.

Questions & Answers

what is oxidation?
Rose Reply
 the state or result of being oxidized
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loss of electron....
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what is genetic
Chibawa Reply
name the enzymes that i found in the saliva
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draw a bacterium cell and label
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What are the osmoregulatory functions of the kidney?
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What is ecology
Hebert Reply
what is cell
Etama Reply
cell is the basic unit of life
cell is the basic structural and functional unit of an living organism
A cell is the smallest basic functioning unit of life.
where is the pectoral gridle located?
Tiania Reply
What is hypotonic
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what is hypotonic
Hypotonic means weak solution
the difference between the two cells
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why drinking excess alcohol causes thirst and dehydration
uwikuzo Reply
Can we chat about nutrition please?
Uhm why is it so important to follow the nutritional process?
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what is reproduction
smart Reply
it is d act of bringing young ones to life
to ensure survival of a species🚴‍♀️
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Mohd Reply
what is size of Hart
nanometers=um sign thingie
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Jyrl Reply
dna and rna involvement

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