Meiosis as Reduction Division
- There are two processes by which the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell can divide. These are:
- Mitosis
- Meiosis
- Mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells and is the type of cell division used for growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells and asexual reproduction
- Meiosis gives rise to cells that are genetically different from each other and is the type of cell division used to produce gametes (sex cells)
- During meiosis, the nucleus of the original 'parent' cell undergoes two rounds of division. These are:
- Meiosis I
- Meiosis II
Meiosis I
- The nucleus of the original 'parent' cell is diploid (2n) i.e. it contains two sets of chromosomes
- Before meiosis I, these chromosomes replicate
- During meiosis I, the homologous pairs of chromosomes are split up, to produce two haploid (n) nuclei
- At this point, each chromosome still consists of two chromatids
- Note that the chromosome number halves (from 2n to n) in the first division of meiosis (meiosis I), not the second division (meiosis II)
- This is why the first division of meiosis is also known as reduction division
- During prophase I of meiosis homologous chromosomes pair up and are in very close proximity to each other
- A pair of homologous chromosomes can be referred to as a bivalent
- At this point, there can be an exchange of genetic material (alleles) between non-sister chromatids in the bivalent
-
- The crossing points are called chiasmata
-
- This results in a new combination of alleles on the two chromosomes (these can be referred to as recombinant chromosomes)
- This exchange of genetic material is known as crossing over
- Spindle fibres attach to the centromeres of the bivalents which pulls the homologous chromosomes to the opposite poles of the cell
- The individual chromatids of each chromosome are still attached by their centromeres
- Between meiosis I and II there is no replication of the chromosomes
Meiosis II
- During meiosis II, the chromatids that make up each chromosome separate to produce four haploid (n) nuclei
- At this point, each chromosome now consists of a single chromatid
Meiosis overview diagram
One diploid nucleus divides by meiosis to produce four haploid nuclei
The need for meiosis in a sexual life cycle
- The life cycles of organisms can be sexual or asexual (some organisms are capable of both)
- In an asexual life cycle, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent (they have exactly the same chromosomes)
- In a sexual life cycle, the offspring are genetically distinct from each other and from each of the parents (their chromosomes are different, causing them to be genetically distinct)
- The halving of the chromosome number during meiosis is very important for a sexual life cycle as it allows for the fusion of gametes
- Sexual reproduction is a process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote (fertilised egg cell) and the production of offspring that are genetically distinct from each other
- This fusion of gamete nuclei is known as fertilisation
- Fertilisation doubles the number of chromosomes each time it occurs
- This is why it is essential that the chromosome number is also halved at some stage in organisms with a sexual life cycle, otherwise the chromosome number would keep doubling every generation
- This halving of the chromosome number occurs during meiosis
- In animals, this halving occurs during the creation of gametes
Sexual lifecycle overview diagram
Sexual life cycle