Meiosis (Variation)

Question 1

Meiosis

Answer 1

Is a special type of cell division that is used to produce male and female gametes.

Each gamete contains half the number of chromosomes a normal body cell contains and is called a haploid cell. There are several steps that increase the variation within the gametes.

Question 2

Where does Meiosis occur?

Answer 2

Testes (Men)

Ovaries (Women)

Question 3

Number of daughter cells formed by meiosis?

Number of chromosomes found in human cells?

Daughter cells produced by meiosis?

Answer 3

4
46
23

Question 4

Independent Assortment

Answer 4

Homologous pairs of chromosomes randomly line up in the middle of the cell during meiosis (i.e. no particular order). It’s random which chromosome from each pair (maternal or parental) goes in which gamete. This results in different/ random combinations of (pairs) chromosomes.

A major source of genetic variation.

Question 5

Independent assortment explain

Answer 5

This leads to genetic variation as each chromosome has unique genetic information (due to crossing over/ recombination). The chromosome randomly split into each game. They then not only have a random combination of chromosomes but they also have chromosomes with unique genetic information. Increasing genetic diversity.