Meiosis

• What process forms gametes in sexual reproduction?

  Meiosis
• What are gametes also known as?

  Sex cells
• How much genetic material do gametes contain?

  Half the genetic material
• What do we call cells that contain half the genetic material?

  Haploid cells
• What happens when two gametes combine?

  They form a diploid cell
• What is the total number of chromosomes in a normal human cell?

  46 individual chromosomes
• How many different types of chromosomes do humans have?

  23 different types
• What are maternal chromosomes?

  Chromosomes from the mother
• What are paternal chromosomes?

  Chromosomes from the father
• What happens to chromosomes during the first step of meiosis?

  They replicate to form X-shaped chromosomes
• What is random assortment in meiosis?

  Chromosome pairs are randomly distributed
• How do chromosomes line up during meiosis?

  In pairs along the center of the cell
• What is the result of the first division in meiosis?

  Two cells with different DNA combinations
• What happens during the second division of meiosis?

  Chromosome arms are pulled to opposite sides
• How many cells are produced at the end of meiosis?

  Four cells
• Why are gametes genetically unique?

  Due to tiny changes during meiosis
• What do male gametes develop into?

  Sperm cells
• What do female gametes develop into?

  Egg cells
• What happens during fertilization?

  A sperm and egg fuse to form a diploid cell
• What does the diploid cell do after fertilization?

  Divides by mitosis to form an embryo
• What are the main steps of meiosis?

  1. DNA replication
  2. First division: chromosome pairs separate
  3. Second division: chromosome arms separate
  4. Result: four genetically unique gametes
• How does meiosis contribute to genetic diversity?

  • Random assortment of chromosomes
  • Genetic recombination during crossing over
  • Unique combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes