A.
PRACTICE TASK 1
1. Tetrad – B. A type of cell division in diploid organisms that produces four haploid cells.
2. Gametes – C. An organism that produces gametes by mitosis.
3. Fertilization – E. The fusion of sex cells to form a zygote.
4. Meiosis – B. A type of cell division in diploid organisms that produces four haploid cells.
5. Haploid – A. A cell containing one set of chromosomes.
B. PRACTICE TASK 2
1. Sister chromatids line up at the equatorial plate.
Metaphase II
2. Spindle microtubules pull homologous chromosomes apart.
Anaphase I
3. Following this phase is cytoplasmic division resulting in two daughter cells with one set of
chromosomes.
Telophase I
4. Homologous chromosomes pair and bind firmly at their length, forming a tetrad.
Prophase I
5. Following this phase is cytoplasmic division resulting in four haploid daughter cells.
Telophase II
C. PRACTICE TASK 3
1. If an organism has a chromosome number of 38, what is the TOTAL number of chromosomes
contained in its sex cells? Explain.
2n=38 = n=19. Therefore, 19 chromosomes are inherited from each parent. Gametes (haploid)
have 19 chromosomes or 38 chromatids. Somatic cells (diploid) have 38.
2. If an organism has a chromosome number of 8, how many chromosome PAIRS are found in its
sex cell? Explain.
The cells producing sex cells or gametes undergo meiosis (reduction division) so that each
gamete contains only one chromosome of a homologous pair. The gametes are haploid, having
half the number of cells as compared to somatic cells. The gametes or sex cells produced by the
organism will have 4 chromosomes if the organism has 8 chromosomes.
GENERALIZATION
1. What happens to the chromosomes and to the cell at each stage of Meiosis? Briefly describe
them with at least 3 sentences.
Meiosis I
A. Interphase:
The DNA in the cell is copied resulting in two identical full sets of chromosomes.
Outside of the nucleus are two centrosomes, each containing a pair of centrioles, these
structures are critical for the process of cell division.
During interphase, microtubules extend from these centrosomes.
B. Prophase I:
The copied chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures that can be easily seen under a
microscope. Each chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids containing identical
genetic information.
The chromosomes pair up so that both copies of chromosome 1 are together, both copies of
chromosome 2 are together, and so on. The pairs of chromosomes may then exchange bits of
DNA in a process called recombination or crossing over. At the end of Prophase I the membrane
around the nucleus in the cell dissolves away, releasing the chromosomes. The meiotic spindle,
consisting of microtubules and other proteins, extends across the cell between the centrioles.
C. Metaphase I:
The chromosome pairs line up next to each other along the center (equator) of the cell.
The centrioles are now at opposites poles of the cell with the meiotic spindles extending from
them. The meiotic spindle fibers attach to one chromosome of each pair.
D. Anaphase I:
The pair of chromosomes are then pulled apart by the meiotic spindle, which pulls one
chromosome to one pole of the cell and the other chromosome to the opposite pole.
In meiosis I the sister chromatids stay together. This is different to what happens in mitosis and
meiosis II.
E. Telophase I and cytokinesis:
The chromosomes complete their move to the opposite poles of the cell.
At each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.
A membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new nuclei.
The single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells each containing a
full set of chromosomes within a nucleus. This process is known as cytokinesis.
Meiosis II
F. Prophase II:
Now there are two daughter cells, each with 23 chromosomes (23 pairs of chromatids).
In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes condense again into visible X-shaped
structures that can be easily seen under a microscope. The membrane around the nucleus in
each daughter cell dissolves away releasing the chromosomes. The centrioles duplicate.
The meiotic spindle forms again.
G. Metaphase II:
In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes (pair of sister chromatids) line up end-to-
end along the equator of the cell. The centrioles are now at opposites poles in each of the
daughter cells. Meiotic spindle fibers at each pole of the cell attach to each of the sister
chromatids.
H. Anaphase II:
The sister chromatids are then pulled to opposite poles due to the action of the meiotic spindle.
The separated chromatids are now individual chromosomes.
I. Telophase II and cytokinesis:
The chromosomes complete their move to the opposite poles of the cell. At each pole of the cell
a full set of chromosomes gather together. A membrane forms around each set of
chromosomes to create two new cell nuclei. This is the last phase of meiosis; however, cell
division is not complete without another round of cytokinesis. Once cytokinesis is complete
there are four granddaughter cells, each with half a set of chromosomes (haploid):
in males, these four cells are all sperm cells in females, one of the cells is an egg cell while the
other three are polar bodies (small cells that do not develop into eggs).
2. What do you think will happen to our chromosome number if our sex cells did not undergo
meiosis? Briefly describe each with at least 3 sentences and elaborate your answer with an
example.
Meiosis creates cells that are destined to become gametes (or reproductive cells). This reduction
in chromosome number is critical without it. The union of two gametes during fertilization
would result in offspring with twice the normal number of chromosomes.
3. What makes Meiosis I different from Meiosis II? Briefly explain with at least 3 sentences.
Meiosis I begin with one diploid parent cell and ends with two haploid daughter cells, halving
the number of chromosomes in each cell. Meiosis II starts with two haploid parent cells and
ends with four haploid daughter cells, maintaining the number of chromosomes in each cell.
Homologous pairs of cells are present in meiosis I and separate into chromosomes before
meiosis II. In meiosis II, these chromosomes are further separated into sister chromatids.
Meiosis I include crossing over or recombination of genetic material between chromosome
pairs, while meiosis II does not. This occurs in meiosis I in a long and complicated prophase I,
split into five sub-phases. The equatorial plane in meiosis II is rotated 90° from the alignment of
the equatorial plane in meiosis I.
EVALUATION
PART 1
1. Asexual reproduction produces a genetically different (IDENTICAL) individual from the parent.
2. Human sex cells are diploid. TRUE
3. At the beginning of meiosis in humans, during prophase I, there are 23 chromosome pairs in the
cell. TRUE
4. Synapsis results to recombinant chromosomes. TRUE
5. At the end of meiosis, two (FOUR) haploid daughter cells are produced.
PART 2
1. MEIOSIS II
2. BOTH
3. MEIOSIS I
4. MEIOSIS II
5. MEIOSIS I
