You are on page 1of 1

genetic information is shared by passing on chromosomes

Genes are located along chromosomes


each place on a chromosome that contains a gene is called a "locus" (hint - locus is a root in location)

In sexual reproduction - each parent contributes half the total number of chromosomes to offspring

Basic principles

The total number of chromosomes is reduced to half in Meiosis


Therefore, when two gametes come together by fertilisation, they recieve the correct number of chromosomes

crossing over happens only in meiosis


chromosomes at metaphase plate are arranged in pairs, not as loose chromosomes

In Meiosis I

Differences between mitosis and meiosis

Somatic

Germinal/germ

Prophase I

c) microtubules pull each pair of homologous chromosomes towards metaphase plate


homologous chromosomes assemble at metaphase plate, facing poles

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Meiosis I

Chromosomes in Humans

Anaphase I

as in mitosis

Telophase I

Spindle apparatus forms

Each sister chromatid is pulled towards opposite poles

Anaphase II

as in mitosis

Telophase II

One - like in humans

here, haploid organisms make gametes by mitosis

broken ends are attached between chromosomes to induce cross-over

gametes combine to form a diploid organism


the diploid organism then makes haploid organisms by meiosis

Outcome

happens in some algae, most fungi


Three- no diploid organism

this is orchestrated by the synaptonemal complex

the synaptonemal complex functions like a zipper

Two- "alternation of generation"

phases similar to mitosis

function

proteins called cohesins hold sister chromatids together

and attaches regions of one chromosome to the other

diploid organisms make haploid gametes by meiosis which give diploid offspring
Usually happens in multicellular haploid organisms

Sexual Life Cycles

2n cells initially become 4n, giving two 2n cells after Meiosis I, each of them then forms two 1n cells

and chromosomes are broken in the same places

this is the haploid number

Three major types exist

The Process of Meiosis

Meiosis II

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase

mixes segments of chromosomes to introduce variation (this is called recombination)

X and X are

Different species have different diploid numbers (dogs=78) and haploid numbers (diploid number/2)

Prophase II
Metaphase II

i.e, the same genes are present in the same place in both chromosomes
X and Y are not homologous

Two major phases occur

Here, each haploid cell divides into 2 daughter cells without duplicated chromosomes
Chromosomes move towards metaphase plate

The last pair consists of either 2 X chromosomes or an X and a Y, normally


In humans, germ cells have 23 chromosomes

Metaphase I

each pair of homologous chromosomes move towards the poles as one

Each pair of duplicated sister chromatids is attached to spindle fibers on opposite poles

this is called "diploid" (2n)

22 of the 23 pairs comprises a set of "homologous" or "sister" chromosomes

a) DNA is duplicated and homologous chromosomes pair up (cells become 4n here)


b) They then exchange DNA segments ("crossing over")

involved in passing on genetic information during sexual reproduction

Humans have 46 chromosomes in total; 2 sets of 23

Here, 2 haploid cells with duplicated chromosomes are formed

they form crossed-structures called chiasmata

not involved in reproduction

Types of cells

sister chromatids are not separated at anaphase I

Here, haploid organisms make haploid gametes


the gametes make a diploid zygote that immediately by meiosis makes haploid offspring

The mechanism of crossing over

You might also like