1. Meiosis Cell division in sex cells that produces gametes containing half the number of chromosomes as a parent’s body cells (somatic cells)

3. Diploid Vs. Haploid  Diploid  A cell with two of each kind of chromosome  Written as 2n  Body or somatic cells  Haploid  A cell with one of each kind of chromosome  Written as n  Gametes or sex cells

4. Meiosis  Two separate cell divisions: Meiosis I and Meiosis II  Meiosis I begins with one diploid cell  At the end of Meiosis II four haploid cell are produced

5. Meiosis I

6. Meiosis I – four stages  Prophase I- similar to Mitosis I except crossing over occurs. Crossing over is when a pair of homologous chromosomes form a tetrad and exchange genetic material this is what allows for the genetic variation in offspring- very important.  Metaphase I – similar to Mitosis  Anaphase I- similar to Mitosis  Telophase I- similar to Mitosis

7. Crossing Over  Crossing over provides for genetic recombination (the reassortment of chromosomes and information they carry) and genetic diversity.

8. Meiosis II

9. Meiosis II- has four stages  Prophase II, Anaphase II, Metaphase II, and Telophase II  Similar to Mitosis except four haploid germ cells are produced at the end of Meiosis II