Meiosis and Fertilisation

• What process produces gametes in humans?

  Meiosis
• How many pairs of chromosomes are in a normal human cell?

  23 pairs
• What type of chromosomes do gametes contain?

  Single chromosomes
• How many single chromosomes are in a human gamete?

  23 single chromosomes
• Where does meiosis occur in humans?

  In reproductive organs
• What are the male and female reproductive organs called?

  Testes and ovaries
• What happens to chromosomes in the first stage of meiosis?

  All chromosomes are copied
• How many gametes are produced from one original cell in meiosis?

  Four gametes
• Are the gametes produced by meiosis genetically identical?

  No, they are genetically different
• What is the term for the joining of male and female gametes?

  Fertilization
• What happens to the number of chromosomes after fertilization?

  It is restored to normal
• How many chromosome pairs does a fertilized egg contain?

  23 chromosome pairs
• What process occurs after fertilization in the new cell?

  It divides by mitosis
• What is formed as the embryo develops?

  Different cell types
• What types of cells are produced by meiosis and fertilization?

  • Meiosis produces gametes
  • Fertilization produces a fertilized egg
• What are the stages of meiosis relevant to the AQ8 specification?

  • Meiosis occurs in reproductive organs
  • Chromosomes are copied
  • Cell divides into two
  • Each cell divides again
  • Produces four genetically different gametes
• What are the key concepts related to meiosis and fertilization?

  • Meiosis halves chromosome number
  • Fertilization restores chromosome number
  • Gametes are genetically different
  • Embryo develops through mitosis