Gametogenesis & Genetic

Disorders
Gametogenesis
• The production of gametes (sex cells) in animals
through meiosis
• Meiosis takes place in the testes and ovaries in
animals
• Sex cells are haploid
Gametogenesis
Spermatogenesis
• The production of sperm cells
• Cytoplasm divided equally during
each cell division
• Final product – 4 equal sized
sperm cells
• Each sperm cell is small in size
and streamlined for maximum
movement
Oogenesis
• The production of egg cells
• Cytoplasm of female gametes does
not divide equally during each of
the two cell divisions of meiosis
• 1 daughter cell receives most of
the cytoplasm
• The other cells (Polar Bodies) die
• Final product – a single ovum
(egg cell)
Errors in Meiosis: Non-Disjunction
• Non-Disjunction – the failure of homologous
chromosome pairs or sister chromatids to
separate during meiosis
• Result
▫ Trisomy – the gain of an extra chromosome (24
chromosomes in gamete)
▫ Monosomy – the loss of a chromosome (22
chromosomes in gamete)
▫ Cells cannot function properly
• Usually confirmed by preparing a karyotype
Karyotype
• Photograph of chromosomes of a cell
• Arranged in order from largest to smallest
Karyotype
• Procedure:
▫ Take cells from a person – usually white blood cells
▫ Add a chemical so that cells undergo mitosis – this
makes the chromosomes visible
▫ Cell is then stained and photographed through a
microscope
▫ Photograph is cut apart
▫ Pictures of paired homologous chromosomes are
arranged on a sheet of paper
▫ Shows any abnormal, missing or extra chromosomes
plus the sex of the individual
Non-Disjunction: Examples
• Trisomy 21 – Down Syndrome
▫ Extra chromosome 21
▫ Autosome
Non-Disjunction: Examples
• Turner Syndrome
▫ Monosomy
▫ 1 X chromosome
▫ Sex chromosome
Detecting Gene/Chromosomal Disorders
• Amniocentesis
▫ The fluid surrounding a fetus is removed with a needle
through a pregnant woman’s abdomen
▫ Fluid contains cells shed by the fetus
▫ The cells are grown in a sterile container – a karyotype is
prepared and analyzed
Detecting Gene/Chromosomal Disorders
• Chorionic Villus Sampling
▫ A small piece of membrane that surrounds the fetus is
removed
▫ Membrane is made of cells identical to the fetus
▫ A karyotype is prepared and analyzed
• Homework
▫ Page 181 – #1, 4, 6, 9, 13 – 15