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Overview of Meiosis

• A. The function of meiosis is to produce eggs and sperm for sexual

reproduction.
o 1. Egg and sperm cells must have half the number of
chromosomes as the parent cell so that when put together they
will have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

2. Egg and sperm cells are NOT genetically identical to the parent
cell.

• B. Summary of Meiosis
o 1. First, the genetic material must be replicated so that each
daughter cell can be given the appropriate amount of genetic
information. This occurs in Interphase.

2. Second, the genetic material must be divided twice so that each

of the four daughter cells gets a set of information.

3. Next, all the other materials in the cell must be divided fairly
equally between the four daughter cells. This process is called
cytokinesis.

• C. The human parent cell begins with 46 chromosomes arranged in 2

sets of 23 each (1 set from Mom and 1 set from Dad). Each daughter cell
will end up with 1 set of 23 chromosomes, some members of which may
have come from EITHER the "Mom" or "Dad" set of the parent cell.
o 1. A cell that normally has two sets (like us) is diploid while a
cell that normally has one set (a sperm or an unfertilized egg) is
haploid.

2. One parent cell divides into 4 sperm cells OR 1 egg cell + 3

polar bodies

• D. The Genetic Material

o 1. First, the genetic material must be replicated so that there is a
duplicate set of genetic information to be given to each daughter
cell.

2. Second, the genetic material must be divided twice so that each

daughter cell gets half the amount of information.
 • E. After the genetic material has been replicated and divided, all the
other materials in the cell must be divided fairly equally among the four
daughter cells.
o 1. During egg development, the majority of the cellular materials
are conserved in one cell -- the unfertilized egg -- while the
remaining three cells are called polar bodies. The polar bodies
contain the same amount of DNA as the unfertilized egg but are
extremely small and contain virtually no cytoplasm, organelles,
etc.

II. Definitions

• A. Centromere: Region of the chromosome where two identical

chromatids are held together

B. Chromosome: A linear molecule of DNA and its associated proteins.

C. Crossing-over: The exchange of genes between the chromatids of

two homologous chromosomes which are closely associated during
synapsis.

D. Cytokineses: The separation of a mother cell into two daughter cells.

It includes the division of cytoplasm, cell membrane, and organelles.

E. Diploid: A situation in which an organism's chromosomes occur in

pairs, one member of each pair having come from each parent.

F. Gametes: The haploid sex cells, including sperm and eggs.

G. Haploid: A situation in which the cell contains half the number of

cells normally found in an interphase cell.

H. Non-disjunction: The improper separation of homologous

chromosomes during meiosis

III. Stages of Meiosis - IPMATPMAT

• A. Interphase - This is the period of time during which the cell is not
ready for mitosis or meiosis. The cell grows in size and replicates its
DNA by turning each un-replicated chromosome into a replicated
chromosome made up of two identical chromatids.
 o 1. Chromosomes are extended (not condensed) and therefore are
not visible.

2. Chromosomes replicate

 a. Each chromosome is now made up of two identical sister

chromatids joined at a centromere.

b. There is now twice the genetic information, although the

same number of chromosomes as before.

3. Centrioles replicate

4. Nuclear membrane (envelope) is still present.

5. Nucleolus is visible.

• B. Prophase I
o 1. Chromosomes condense (to make separation easier)

2. Nucleolus (or nucleoli) disappears

3. Nuclear membrane disappears

4. Centrioles migrate to opposite poles and begin the formation of

the spindle apparatus, composed of spindle fibers.

5. Chromosomes become attached to a spindle fiber at their

centromeres.

6. Synapsis occurs during this phase ONLY.

 a. Synapsis is the close association, or lining up of

homologous chromosomes.

b. During synapsis, crossing-over may occur as chromatids

from homologous chromosomes cross each other, and
breakage and reformation of DNA bonds occurs.

• C. Metaphase I
 o 1. Homologous pairs of chromosomes align in the "middle"
(equator) of the cell in such a way that there are two chromosomes
to each spindle fiber.

D. Anaphase I

o 1. Homologous pairs separate and the two members of each pair

move to opposite poles of the cell.

2. The number of chromosomes in the cell does not change during

anaphase I.

3. Non-disjunction could occur at this stage.

E. Telophase I - May occur or cell may go into Prophase II

o 1. Nuclear membranes may reform around the replicated

chromosomes at the poles of the cell.

2. Spindles disappear

3. The DNA partially de-condenses.

4. Cytokinesis occurs.

 a. Animals: The cell membrane pinches inward from both

sides between the two poles until two daughter cells are
formed.

b. Plants: Plant cells form a region of new membranes and

new cell wall material in the middle of the cell which
moves outward. This is called a cell plate.

F. Prophase II

o 1. The DNA molecules condense (to make separation easier).

2. The nuclear membrane(s), if present, disintegrates.

3. Centrioles migrate to opposite poles and begin the formation of

the spindle apparatus.
 4. Chromosomes each become attached to a spindle fiber at their
centromeres.

** The remaining Meiosis II Phases are identical to mitosis EXCEPT that

sister chromatids ARE NOT identical to each other. **

• G. Metaphase II
o 1. Chromosomes align in the "middle" (equator) of the cell.

H. Anaphase II

o 1. Centromere of each chromosome splits and one chromatid from

each chromosome moves to centrioles at the poles of the cell.

I. Telophase II

o 1. Nuclear membranes reform around each group of newly

divided chromosomes.

2. Nucleolus (or nucleoli) reappears

3. Spindles disappear

4. Chromosomes extend, becoming invisible

5. Cytokenesis occurs.

 a. Animals: The cell membrane pinches inward from both

sides between the two poles until two daughter cells are
formed.

b. Plants: Plant cells form a region of new membranes and

new cell wall material in the middle of the cell which
moves outward. This is called a cell plate.