Meiosis

THE PRODUCTION OF GAMETES

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Gametes
• Gametes (sex cells) – egg and sperm
• Are produced through meiosis in the testes and ovaries of
humans
• For sexual reproduction to occur, sex cells (gametes) must
contain half the number of chromosomes found in somatic
(body) cells
• Human somatic cells = 46 chromosomes
• Diploid cells (2n)
• Human gametes = 23 chromosomes
• Haploid cells (n)
• At conception you receive an equal amount of genetic
information from each parent – 23 chromosomes each 2
MEIOSIS I 3
Prophase I
• Homologous chromosomes pair up to form tetrads– called
synapsis
• Homologous chromosomes
• One pair of chromosomes that share similar characteristics
• Carry genes that are associated with the same trait
• Gene – governs the expression of a trait
• Example – hair or eye colour
• May carry different versions of the same gene

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Prophase I
• During synapsis crossing over happens – genetic material
between tetrads is exchanged
• IMPORTANT FOR PROVIDING GENETIC DIVERSITY
• Homologous pairs attach to spindle fibres

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Metaphase I
• Tetrads line up along the equator of the cell

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Anaphase I
• Homologous pairs separate to opposite poles of the cell –
process is called segregation
• Sister chromatids are still held together by centromeres

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Telophase I
• Nuclear membrane forms
• Spindle fibres disappear
• Cytokinesis occurs
• The 2 cells are now haploid (n = 23 chromosomes) instead of
diploid (2n = 46 chromosomes)

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MEIOSIS II 9
Prophase II
• No chromosomal replication takes place before meiosis II
• Nuclear membrane breaks down
• Centrosomes move to opposite poles
• Spindle fibres are formed and attach to double-stranded
chromosomes

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Metaphase II
• Double stranded chromosomes line up at the equator

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Anaphase II
• Sister chromatids are separated by spindle fibres
• Chromosomes move toward opposite poles

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Telophase II
• Chromosomes reach the poles and start to unwind
• Spindle fibres breakdown
• Nuclear membrane reforms
• Cytokinesis occurs
• Result – 4 new haploid, non-identical daughter cells (n = 23
chromosomes)

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Meiosis Process
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• Homework
• Page 119 – #1, 3, 5, 6, and 8

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