Meiosis

• What is meiosis?

  A type of cell division that produces four genetically different haploid cells known as gametes.
• How does meiosis differ from mitosis?

  • Meiosis produces four genetically different cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
  • Mitosis produces two genetically identical cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
• What happens in metaphase 1?

  The chromosomes line up in their homologous pairs on the equator of the cell.
• What happens during anaphase 1?

  Separation of homologous chromosomes by the spindle fibres contracting and shortening.
• At the cytokinesis stage of meiosis 1, what is produced?

  2 haploid cells
• What happens during anaphase 2?

  Separation of sister chromatids to opposite poles of the cell by the spindle fibres shortening.
• At the cytokinesis stage of meiosis 2, what is produced?

  4 genetically different haploid cells.
• How many nuclear divisions are there in meiosis?

  Two