Meiosis

(Sex Cell Division)

What is Meiosis?
 Cell division in which 1 Diploid
Cell produces 4 Haploid cells.
 This makes 4 Genetically
Different Cells.
 Has two divisions of the nucleus:
– Meiosis 1 & Meiosis 2
Meiosis 1

 Prophase 1
– Chromosomes condense
– Nuclear envelope breaks down
– Homologous chromosomes pair up
and “cross over”
What’s the point in
Crossing Over?
 Crossing Over
– Occurs in Prophase 1
– Portions of chromosomes are
exchanged

 Causes genetic recombination

 Metaphase 1
– Homologous chromosomes move to
the middle (equator) of the cell
– (moved by spindles)
 Anaphase 1
– Homologous chromosomes separate
*Chromatids do not separate at
centromere!*
 Telophase 1
– Chromosomes gather at poles
– Nuclear envelope reforms
– Cytoplasm divides
 End of Meiosis 1  Two haploid
cells formed
Meiosis 2
 Repeat of Meiosis 1, but no
crossing over in Prophase 2
 In Anaphase 2, Centromeres
divide
 The end result is 4 Haploid Cells
 Prophase 2
– New spindle forms around
chromosomes
 Metaphase 2
– Chromosomes align in center
– **Spindle fibers attach to
centromeres**
 Anaphase 2
– **Centromeres Divide**
– Chromatids move to opposite poles
 Telophase 2
– Nuclear envelope forms around
chromosomes
 Independent Assortment
– Each pair of chromosomes separates
independently
– 223 ~ 8 million different gametes
produced
 Random fertilization
– Since the zygote is made of two
gametes…
 223 x 223 = 64 trillion
 Spermatogenesis occurs in males
– Formation of sperm cells
 Oogenesis
– Formation of egg cells