Meiosis Cuts # of chromosomes in half Only occurs in sexually reproducing organisms in the reproductive tissue Produces sex cells AKA: Gametes (egg & sperm in animals) All gametes are haploid When gametes meet, a zygote (a fertilized egg) is formed Produces spores in plants and fungi
Meiosis 1 diploid cell makes 4 haploid cells DNA also doubles in Interphase of meiosis There are 2 stages of Meiosis: Meiosis I & II In each stage of meiosis, PMAT occurs with minor differences from Mitosis
Meiosis Meiosis I: Prophase I: Metaphase I: Anaphase I: Chromosomes match with their homologue – Synapsis Paired homologues form a Tetrad Parts of homologous chromosomes are exchanged between homologues Called Crossing Over Genetic Recombination occurs due to crossing over and allows for genetic diversity in the new offspring Metaphase I: Tetrads line up on the equator of the cell Anaphase I: Tetrads separate; each homologue goes to opposite poles
Meiosis Meiosis I: Meiosis II: Telophase I & Cytokinesis I: Same as mitosis but whole chromosomes are in each cell Meiosis II: Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II, Cytokinesis II: Same as Mitosis except each cell now only has a haploid number of chromosomes Division happens again using the 2 cells just created in Meiosis I