Transcript Meiosis

Chromosomes
& Meiosis
Unit 5:
Mendelian
Genetics
Learning Goals
1. Define homologous chromosomes
and explain diploid and haploid.
2. Describe the overall process of
meiosis.
3. Explain crossing over including the
step in meiosis where it takes place and
why it is important.
4. Describe the two types of gamete
formation and how fertilization occurs.
Chromosome Structure
Made of DNA
wrapped around
histones (proteins)
Sections of DNA
make up genes
Homologous Chromosomes
Each body cell has 2 sets of
chromosomes

Homologous Chromosomes = a pair
of chromosomes that have the same
genes at the same locations
1 came from mom
1 came from dad
Homologous
chromosomes
From mom
From dad
Chromosome Number
Diploid (2n): cells that have 2 sets of
homologous chromosomes (2n)
 Human body cells are diploid (46
chromosomes or 23 pairs)
Haploid (n): cells that have 1 set of
chromosomes (n)
 sex cells (sperm & egg) are haploid (23
chromosomes total)
1) A bug has a haploid number n=5. What is the
diploid number (2n)?
2) A crocodile has a diploid number 2n=50. What is
the haploid number (n)?
Diploid
2n
meiosis
Haploid gamete
n
meiosis
n
Haploid gamete
Karyotypes
A karyotype shows an individual’s
complete set of chromosomes


Autosomes = Chromosome #1-22
Sex chromosomes = Chromosome #23
 XX = Female
 XY = Male
Karyotypes are studied to determine
irregularities in the chromosomes and
can show genetic disorders.
Human Female Karyotype
Human Male Karyotype
Down Syndrome Female
Trisomy
On the karyotype you were given circle
and label the following:
 Autosomes
 Sex chromosomes
 1 set of homologous chromosomes
*Determine and label the gender!
Meiosis
Cell division that results in the
formation of gametes:

Gametes = Sex Cells (sperm & eggs)
 Human gametes have 23 chromosomes (22
autosomes + 1 sex chromosome)
23
Egg
23
Steps of Meiosis
Interphase
DNA is copied
before the start of
Meiosis I.
This makes 2
identical sister
chromatids
Meiosis 1
Four steps:
Prophase 1
 Metaphase 1
 Anaphase 1
 Telophase 1

Prophase 1
The homologous pairs of chromosomes
line up side by side. (tetrad = 4)
Crossing-over
Homologous
chromosomes can
Cross-over and
exchange a piece of the
chromosome randomly
Crossing-over is very
important because it
creates genetic variation
(new combinations of
genes), which makes us
all different.
 This is why you do not
look exactly like your
siblings.
Crossing over happens randomly.
However, some genes are linked, or close
together on the chromosome, meaning they
are more likely to be inherited together.
Red hair
Freckles
Chromosome 16
After crossing-over, the homologous
chromosomes separate & the cell divides
Meiosis II
Four steps:




Prophase 2
Metaphase 2
Anaphase 2
Telophase 2
Sister chromatids separate & the cells divide.
Result is 4 genetically different haploid
daughter cells
Meiosis Overview
Gametes produced during meiosis are
needed for sexual reproduction
Cells (diploid) divide twice resulting in 4
daughter cells (haploid)
Each cell has half the number of
chromosomes as the original cell
Each new cell is genetically different
Mendel’s Law of Segregation
Genes segregate (separate) into different
cells during meiosis
Each gamete only gets
one possible gene
Principal of Independent Assortment
Genes for different traits can segregate
(separate) independently during the
formation of gametes.
The inheritance of one trait is not
determined by the inheritance of
another trait
Ex: The gene for eye color is
not connected to the gene for
hair color.
Independent assortment and crossing-over
account for the many genetic variations
observed in plants, animals, and other
organisms.

Assume there was only one cross-over in a
man’s sperm and one cross-over in a woman’s
egg, they have the possibility of producing
4,951,760,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 genetically
different children
Spermatogenesis
In males meiosis occurs in the testes
 produces 4 sperm
23
23
23
23
Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis
In females meiosis occurs in the
ovaries
 produces only 1 egg and 3 polar
bodies
Polar Bodies
Egg
23
Oogenesis
Fertilization: the combining of sperm and
egg to form a zygote
23
23
Zygote
46
First cell of a new
organism
Only one sperm and one egg come together
The first sperm to reach the egg will be the
one to fertilize it.
Learning Goals
1. Define homologous chromosomes
and explain diploid and haploid.
2. Describe the overall process of
meiosis.
3. Explain crossing over including the
step in meiosis where it takes place and
why it is important.
4. Describe the two types of gamete
formation and how fertilization occurs.