WEEK 11 (Meiosis) Flashcards
What is Reproduction?
The process by which organisms give rise to offspring
What are the two basic types of reproduction?
Asexual reproduction & Sexual reproduction
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
Produces genetic variation in the offspring
What does Sexual reproduction involve?
The production of haploid gametes by MEIOSIS followed by FERTILISATION and the formation of a diploid zygote
Do sperm and egg contribute equally to the genetic character of the offspring? (YES/NO)
YES
Explanation: Despite their huge difference in size, sperm and egg contribute equally to the genetic character of the offspring
What is the difference between Germ-line cells and Somatic cells?
GERM-LINE CELLS = Give rise to haploid gametes by meiosis and the gametes spread genetic information into the next generation
SOMATIC CELLS = Form the body of the organism and are necessary to support sexual reproduction but themselves leave no progeny
What is the history of Meiosis?
In 1888 Theodor Boveri noted that the fertilised egg of a PARASITIC ROUNDWORM contains four chromosomes, whereas the worm’s gametes contain only two
What does meiosis involve?
One round of DNA replication followed by two rounds of cell division
Explanation: Mitosis and Meiosis both begin with a round of chromosome duplication and the reduction in chromosome number after meiosis occurs because a single round of duplication is followed by two successive cell divisions without further DNA replication
How long does Mitosis and Meiosis II take compared to Meiosis I?
- MITOSIS & MEIOSIS II = within hours
- MEIOSIS I = Last, months or even years
[Because of the long time spent in Prophase]
What is pairing?
Each duplicated paternal chromosome first locates and then attaches itself to the corresponding duplicated maternal homolog
What do duplicated homologous chromosomes do before lining up on the meiotic spindle?
Duplicated homologous chromosomes pair before lining up on the meiotic spindle to form BIVALENTS
Describe what happens in Crossing over
Non-sister chromatids in each bivalent exchange segments of DNA which is facilitated by the formation of a SYNAPTONEMAL COMPLEX
Describe how the Synaptomenal complex helps in Crossing over
As the duplicated homologs pair, the Synaptomenal complex
- Helps to hold the bivalent together
- Aligns the homologs so that strand exchange can readily occur between the non-sister chromatids
Multiple crossovers can occur between the duplicated homologous chromosomes in a bivalent (TRUE/FALSE)
TRUE
What is the importance of Chiasmata?
- CROSSOVER EVENTS create CHIASMATA between non-sister chromatids in each bivalent
- Chiasmata hold homologous chromosomes together during prophase I -> Chiasmata help ensure that the maternal and paternal homologs will segregate from one another correctly at the FIRST MEIOTIC DIVISION -> Allow for separation in Meiotic Anaphase I