MEIOSIS AND

CROSSING OVER

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 Homologous Chromosomes
– Somatic (body) cells have pairs of homologous
chromosomes; are diploid (2N)
– Homologous chromosomes are matched in
– Length
– Centromere position
– Gene locations
– A locus (plural, loci) is the position of a gene

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 Homologous Chromosomes
– The human sex chromosomes X and Y differ in
size and genetic composition
– The other 22 pairs are called autosomes
– Males are XY
– Females are XX

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Homologous pair of
chromosomes

Centromere

Sister chromatids One duplicated

chromosome
 Meiosis

– Meiosis converts diploid nuclei to haploid nuclei

– Haploid cells have one set of chromosomes (N)
– Meiosis occurs in the sex organs, producing
gametes—sperm and eggs
– Fertilization is the union of sperm and egg
– The zygote has a diploid chromosome number,
one set from each parent

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 Meiosis
– Unlike mitosis, meiosis has two divisions
– During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes
separate
– During meiosis II, sister chromatids separate

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 Meiosis
– Events in the nucleus during meiosis I
– Prophase I
– Homologous chromosomes pair up (this is called
synapsis)
– Each pair, with four chromatids, is called a tetrad
– Nonsister chromatids exchange genetic material by
crossing over

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 Sources of Genetic Variation
– 1) Genetic recombination is the production of new
combinations of genes due to crossing over

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Tetrad
Chiasma

Centromere
Coat-color Eye-color
genes genes
C E
Tetrad
(homologous pair of
chromosomes in synapsis)
c e

1 Breakage of homologous chromatids

C E

c e

2 Joining of homologous chromatids

C E
Chiasma
c e

3 Separation of homologous
chromosomes at anaphase I
C E

C e

c E
c e
Separation of chromatids at
4
anaphase II and
completion of meiosis
C E
Parental type of chromosome
C e
Recombinant chromosome
c E
Recombinant chromosome
c e
Parental type of chromosome
Gametes of four genetic types
 Sources of Genetic Variation
– 2) Independent orientation at metaphase I
– Each pair of chromosomes independently aligns at
the cell equator
– The number of combinations is 2n where n = haploid
number of chromosomes
– 3) Random fertilization
– A unique sperm unites with a unique egg

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 Self-Quiz
• What is the name given to the process that
restores the diploid number of
chromosomes?
• A. Fertilization
• B. Asexual reproduction
• C. Meiosis
• D. Mitosis
• E. The cell cycle
 Self-Quiz
• Which of the following occurs in meiosis but not
mitosis?
• A. Chromosome replication
• B. Synapsis
• C. Daughter cells are produced
• D. Chromatids are separated
• E. None of the above—they all occur in both meiosis
and mitosis