Meiosis and mendel

Meiosis: the process of

producing haploid sex cells
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Learning goal:
Students will be able to describe how genetic
material is passed on to offspring through sexual
reproduction, and how meiosis contributes to
observed inheritance patterns in offspring
Focus: Meiosis

DNA is passed on to offspring in large chromosomal

chunks
Sex/ Meiosis generates genetic diversity
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The genome of any organism is

highly organized
Genome:
All of the DNA
in an organism,
in chunks
(chromosomes)

Chromosome
A single string of
:
DNA
(double helix)
containing unique
genes in a very
particular order.

Homologous Chromosomes:
Two chromosomes containing the same genes in the same order, even if the
versions (alleles) of each gene are different.

The genome of any organism is

highly organized
Homologous Chromosomes:

Two chromosomes containing the same genes in the same order, even if
the versions (alleles) of each gene are different.

Chromosome 1a
5
3

Protein C (transports slowly)

Protein A (fully functional)

3
5
Protein B (no pigment made blue eyes)

Chromosome 1b
5
3

Protein A (nonfunctional)

* * **

Protein C (transports quickly)

**

**

* * ** *

3
5

**

Protein B (some pigment made green eyes)

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The genome of any organism is

highly organized
If we took each unique chromosome
(one of every color)
wed have one set.
That is the HAPLOID number of the
organism. (n)

The ploidy number is the number of

complete sets that an organism has.
DIPLOID = 2 sets (2n)
TRIPLOID = 3 sets (3n)
This is a diploid organism
(though its missing a sex chromosome)

TETRAPLOID = 4 sets (4n)

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An organism has four unique chromosomes. It is

triploid. Draw the chromosomes in this cell
(distinguish them with letters or different sizes or
shapes). How many chromosomes are there, in
total?

Is this a 3n or a 4n organism?

An organism has four unique

chromosomes. It is triploid. Which
represents ONE SET?
A

One set = one of

each unique
chromosome

A diploid organism has 60 chromosomes.

How many complete sets of chromosomes
does this organism have?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1
2
20
30
60

Diploid = 2 ploids = 2 sets

One set = one of

each unique
chromosome
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A triploid organism has 60 chromosomes.

How many unique chromosomes make up a
single set?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1
2
20
30
60

Triploid = 3 ploids = 3 sets

3 sets = 60
1 set = 20 unique
chromosomes
per set

An animals somatic cells have 62

chromosomes. Their gametes have 31
chromosomes. For this animal, what is n?
A.
B.
C.
D.

1
2
31
62

n is the number of distinct chromosomes in a set

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An organism is tetraploid (4n). On its

chromosome 1, it has a gene A. How
many copies of gene A will this organism
have?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

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Reproduction can be sexual or

asexual

1. duplicate

2. divide

Offspring:
duplicates (clones) of
original

Asexual reproduction is very straightforward.

Ploidy number doesnt matter.

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Reproduction can be sexual or

asexual
Sexual reproduction
is more complex,
requires an EVEN
ploidy number.
Most sexually
reproducing
organisms are
diploid
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Reproduction can be sexual or

asexual
(2n)

(2n)

requires haploid gametes

Egg
(n)

Fertilization

Gamete production:
gametogenesis.
Mechanism:
meiosis.

Sperm
(n)
Offspring:
genetically unique

(2n)

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Meiosis produces
haploid gametes

2n

1. Duplication of DNA

2n
duplicated

2. First divisionn
duplicated
n

homologous chromosomes part

cells considered haploid
(1/2 genetic info is missing)

3. Second divisionhaploid gametes

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Each gamete contains one

of two parental alleles
Alleles of
the same
gene

Each gamete gets one copy of any two

original alleles.

This is Mendels law of

segregation of alleles.
Each gamete has a 50%
chance of getting the
allele
or the
allele

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Each gamete contains one

of two parental alleles
Alleles of
the same
gene

This is Mendels law of

segregation of alleles.
Each gamete has a 50%
chance of getting the
allele
or the
allele

regardless of
crossover!
Each gamete gets one copy of any two
original alleles.

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Newly replicated DNA finds

homologous chromosomes
sister chromatids:
attached at centromere
IDENTICAL just after replication

considered ONE CHROMOSOME

while duplicates remain attached.

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Crossover combines DNA from

homologous chromosomes
Occurs between replication
and anaphase I
Exact, equal exchange
Can occur multiple times
Can occur between all four
chromatids in a tetrad
Required part of meiosis
The resulting new chromosomes are a unique mix of DNA.

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How does meiosis generate

genetic diversity in gametes?
Without crossover, an organism can generate 2n unique
gametes, where n is the haploid number of chromosomes.
With crossover, each chromosome is a new blend of genetic
material inherited from the organisms parents.

Between these two mechanisms,

an organism will never make the same gamete twice.
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replication

crossover occurring

S phase

Duplicated chromosomes (sister chromatids) remain

attached at centromeres
from replication through meiosis I
Homologous chromosomes are never attached at21
centromeres.

replication

S phase

crossover occurring

|----- Prophase I -----|

Crossover occurs between homologous

chromosomes WHILE they are condensing
Nuclear membrane dissolves, meiotic spindle fibers
organize and attach to centromeres
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replication

S phase

crossover occurring

|----- Prophase I -----|

Metaphase I

Homologous chromosomes organize into TETRADS

along the equator of the cell
(metaphase plate)
Orientation is random
(Law of Independent Assortment of chromosomes)
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replication

S phase

crossover occurring

|----- Prophase I -----|

Metaphase I
Anaphase I

TETRADS separate.
Centromeres connecting original sister chromatids
(duplicated chromosomes) remain intact.
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Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

daughter cells are NOT identical

They are also HAPLOID

sister chromatids are still attached at centromeres

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Prophase II
Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

There may be years between meiosis I and II

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Prophase II
Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

Metaphase II

Compare this with

Metaphase I:
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Prophase II
Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

Metaphase II

Chromosomes align along equators of cells

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Prophase II
Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

Metaphase II
Anaphase II

Centromeres dissolve
Sister chromatids finally separate
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Prophase II
Telophase I
and first
cytokinesis

Metaphase II
Anaphase II
Telophase II
and second
cytokinesis
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You should be able to:

Explain how the process of meiosis contributes to genetic

diversity

How many combinations of chromosomes are possible

How chromosomes are altered by crossover

Explain the concept of phenotype from the perspective of a

proteins biochemical function in the organism

Be comfortable with the concepts of diploid, haploid, and

chromosome terminology (sister chromatids, alleles,
homologous, etc.)

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You should be able to

name the stages of meiosis
tell me which stages have the critical differences
between mitosis and meiosis and how this
changes the outcome

prior

to metaphase I: crossover occurs between

homologous chromosomes
metaphase I (chromosomes align differently)
meiosis has two rounds of division
metaphase II (only half the chromosomes present)

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