Meiosis

• What is the process that forms gametes?

  Meiosis
• What are gametes also known as?

  Sex cells
• How much genetic material do gametes contain compared to normal cells?

  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 normal cell that can grow into a new organism
• What do we call cells that contain two sets of genetic information?

  Diploid cells
• What is the first step in meiosis?

  To replicate all of the cell's DNA
• What shape do chromosomes take after DNA replication in meiosis?

  X shape
• How many types of chromosomes do humans have?

  23 different types
• How many individual chromosomes does each human cell have?

  46 individual chromosomes
• What are maternal chromosomes?

  Chromosomes inherited from the mother
• What are paternal chromosomes?

  Chromosomes inherited from the father
• What happens to chromosome pairs during meiosis?

  They line up along the center of the cell in pairs
• Why is the left-to-right order of chromosomes during meiosis random?

  Because it can vary each time meiosis occurs
• What is the result of the first division in meiosis?

  Two cells with different combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes
• What happens during the second division of meiosis?

  The two arms of each chromosome are pulled to opposite sides of the cell
• How many cells are produced at the end of meiosis?

  Four cells
• Why are gametes genetically unique?

  Because of tiny changes during the process of 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 can the diploid cell formed during fertilization do?

  It can divide by mitosis to form an embryo
• What are the main steps of meiosis?

  1. DNA replication

  2. First division: Chromosome pairs line up and separate

  3. Second division: Chromosome arms separate

  4. Result: Four genetically unique gametes
• What is the significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction?

  • Produces gametes (sperm and egg cells)
  • Ensures genetic diversity through random assortment
  • Reduces chromosome number by half (haploid)