Meiosis Tutorial

Reproduction
The following information can be found at: http://www.biology.arizona.edu/
Read through the following information. Then go to the following website.
Scroll down and click on Cell Biology. Under Cell Biology, scroll down and
click on Meiosis. Use the Meiosis tutorial to answer the questions towards the
end of these pages. Finally, use the website to create a chart that compares
Mitosis and Meiosis.
Asexual (vegetative) reproduction
A form of duplication using only mitosis.
Example, a new plant grows out of the root or a shoot from an existing plant.
Produces only genetically identical offspring since all divisions are by mitosis.
1. Offspring called clones meaning that each is an exact copy of the original
organism
2. This method of reproduction is rapid and effective allowing the spread of
an organism
3. Since the offspring are identical, there is no mechanism for introducing
diversity
Sexual reproduction
Formation of new individual by a combination of two haploid sex cells (gametes).
Fertilization- combination of genetic information from two separate cells that
have one half the original genetic information
Gametes for fertilization usually come from separate parents
1. Female- produces an egg
2. Male produces sperm
Both gametes are haploid, with a single set of chromosomes
The new individual is called a zygote, with two sets of chromosomes (diploid).
Meiosis is a process to convert a diploid cell to a haploid gamete, and cause a
change in the genetic information to increase diversity in the offspring.

Meiosis Tutorial
Chromosomes in a Diploid Cell
Summary of chromosome characteristics

Diploid set for humans; 2n = 46

Autosomes; homologous chromosomes, one from each parent (humans = 22 sets
of 2)
Sex chromosomes (humans have 1 set of 2)
1. Female-sex chromosomes are homologous (XX)
2. Male-sex chromosomes are non-homologous (XY)

Karyotyping

Karyotype

A pictorial display of metaphase chromosomes from a mitotic cell

Homologous chromosomes- pairs

Spectral Karyotyping- a new method

Ploidy: Number of sets of chromosomes in a cell

Haploid (n)-- one set chromosomes

Diploid (2n)-- two sets chromosomes
Most plant and animal adults are diploid (2n)
Eggs and sperm are haploid (n)

Meiosis I & II
What is meiosis I?
In meiosis I, chromosomes in a diploid cell resegregate, producing four haploid daughter
cells. It is this step in meiosis that generates genetic diversity.

The phases of meiosis I & II - Sketch what is going on in each phase.

Prophase I
DNA replication precedes the start of meiosis I. During
prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair and form
synapses, a step unique to meiosis. The paired
chromosomes are called bivalents, and the formation of
chiasmata caused by genetic recombination becomes
apparent. Chromosomal condensation allows these to be
viewed in the microscope. Note that the bivalent has two
chromosomes and four chromatids, with one chromosome
coming from each parent.

Prometaphase
The nuclear membrane disappears. One kinetochore forms
I
per chromosome rather than one per chromatid, and the
chromosomes attached to spindle fibers begin to move.

Metaphase I
Bivalents, each composed of two chromosomes (four
chromatids) align at the metaphase plate. The orientation is
random, with either parental homologue on a side. This
means that there is a 50-50 chance for the daughter cells to
get either the mother's or father's homologue for each
chromosome.
Anaphase I
Chiasmata separate. Chromosomes, each with two
chromatids, move to separate poles. Each of the daughter
cells is now haploid (23 chromosomes), but each
chromosome has two chromatids.

Telophase I
Nuclear envelopes may reform, or the cell may quickly
start meiosis II.

Cytokinesis
Analogous to mitosis where two complete daughter cells
form.

Meiosis II is similar to mitosis. However, there is no "S" phase. The chromatids of each
chromosome are no longer identical because of recombination. Meiosis II separates the
chromatids producing two daughter cells each with 23 chromosomes (haploid), and each
chromosome has only one chromatid.

A review of meiosis
Comparing Meiosis and Mitosis

Chromosome behavior
1. Mitosis: Homologous chromosomes independent
2. Meiosis: Homologous chromosomes pair forming bivalents until anaphase
I
Chromosome number- reduction in meiosis
1. Mitosis- identical daughter cells
2. Meiosis- daughter cells haploid
Genetic identity of progeny:
1. Mitosis: identical daughter cells
2. Meiosis: daughter cells have new assortment of parental chromosomes
3. Meiosis: chromatids not identical, crossing over

Meiotic errors

Nondisjunction- homologues don't separate in meiosis 1

1. Results in aneuploidy
2. Usually embryo lethal
3. Trisomy 21, exception leading to Downs syndrome
4. Sex chromosomes
1. Turner syndrome: monosomy X
2. Klinefelter syndrome: XXY
Translocation and deletion: transfer of a piece of one chromosome to another or
loss of fragment of a chromosome.

Mitosis, Meiosis, and Ploidy

Mitosis can proceed independent of ploidy of cell, homologous chromosomes

behave independently
Meiosis can only proceed if the nucleus contains an even number of chromosomes
(diploid, tetraploid).
Trisomy 21 does not prevent meiosis

Problem 1: Number of chromosomes

A human cell has 46 total or 23 pairs of chromosomes. Following mitosis, the
daughter cells would each have a total of ______ chromosomes. After meiosis
I, the two daughter cells would have _____chromosomes, and after meiosis II
______ chromosomes.
A. 46, 46, 46

B. 46, 23, 23
C. 23, 23, 23
D. 46, 12, 12

Problem 2: Four different cells

The process of meiosis produces four cells with nonidentical chromosomes.
This diversification occurs during:
A. telophase I
B. prophase I
C. metaphase II
D. prophase II

Problem 3: Mitosis vs. Meiosis

Which of the following is unique to mitosis and not a part of meiosis?
A. homologous chromosomes pair forming bivalents
B. homologous chromosomes cross over
C. chromatids are separated during anaphase
D. homologous chromosomes behave independently

Problem 4: Thompson Seedless Grapes

The Thompson seedless grape is triploid, with three copies of each
chromosome. Which phase of the cell cycle would you expect triploid cells to
be unable to complete.
A. meiosis I
B. S
C. meiosis II
D. G2

Problem 5: Asexual vs. sexual reproduction

Some organisms are capable of asexual or sexual reproduction. Under
favorable conditions, reproduction proceeds asexually. When conditions
become more stressful reproduction switches to a sexual mode. Why?
A. Sexual reproduction is simple and more rapid allowing larger numbers of offspring to
be produced.
B. Sexual reproduction requires two separate individuals, who can mutually provide
nutrient support during stress.
C. Asexual reproduction requires more energy.
D. Sexual reproduction produces individuals with new combinations of recombined
chromosomes increasing diversity.

Problem 6: Haploid cells

The stage of meiosis where cells become haploid.
A. prophase I
B. prophase II
C. anaphase I
D. anaphase II

Problem 7: Events of meiosis

One of the earliest events that distinguishes meiosis occurs in prophase I and
involves:
A. Condensation of chromosomes
B. Loss of the nuclear membrane

C. Movement of chromosomes towards the metaphase plate

D. Pairing of homologous chromosomes

Problem 8: Ocean coral

Coral in the ocean grows by budding, where the new organism grows out of the
old one by mitosis. This form of replication is an example of:
A. meiosis to produce a zygote
B. asexual reproduction
C. sexual reproduction
D. gamete formation

Problem 9: Phases of meiosis

_________________ most closely resembles events of mitosis except that the
cells are ___________.
A. interphase, diploid
B. meiosis II, diploid
C. interphase, haploid
D. meiosis II, haploid

Problem 10: Anaphase

During anaphase, a free kinetochore formed by disrupting an attached spindle
fiber results in an immediate block to the process. This result shows that:
A. The chromosomes themselves provide the energy for anaphase through their
attachment to spindle fibers.
B. The cells have mechanisms to insure that errors are not made during anaphase

Terms to know about Mitosis and Meiosis

chromatid
Each of a pair of identical DNA molecules after DNA replication, joined at the
centromere.
chromatin
Protein/DNA complex making the chromosome.
chromosomes
Molecules of DNA complexed with specific proteins responsible in eukaryotes for
storage and transmission of genetic information.
histones
Five kinds of proteins forming complexes with Eukaryotic DNA.
kinetochore
Structure forming at centromere during Mitosis for binding microtubules.
nucleosomes
Basic structural unit of eukaryotic chromosome forming "beads on a string."

Create a chart comparing the stages of Mitosis to the stages of Meiosis. Include all stages
of each in your chart.