M EIO S IS

Introduction
Reduction division

In reproductive cells of sexually

reproducing organisms
Two steps

1. Meiosis I (reductional and disjunctional

heterotypic division)

2. Meiosis II ( homotypic equational

division)
 Meiosis: Two Part Cell
Division Sister
chromatids
separate
Homologs
separate

Meiosis Meiosis
I II

Diploid

Haploid

Haploid
3
Interphase I

Similar to mitosis interphase.

Chromosomes replicate (S phase).

Each duplicated chromosome consist

of two identical sister chromatids
attached at their centromeres.

Centriole pairs also replicate.

M eiosis I (four phases)

Cell division that reduces the

chromosome number by one-half.

four phases:
a. prophase I
b. metaphase I
c. anaphase I
d. telophase I
Prophase I
Longest with 5 substages

1. Leptonema

2. Zygonema

3. Pachynema

4. Diplonema

5. Diakinesis
Leptotene
Leptos=fine/thin; nema= thread

Onset

Coiling to form localised chromomeres

Bead like chromomeres forms

Double stranded
Zygotene
Zygos= adjoining
Synapsis occurs: homologous
chromosomes come together to form
a tetrad.
Tetrad is two chromosomes or four
chromatids (sister and nonsister
chromatids).
Synaptonemal complex formation
Pachytene
Pachys=thick

Chromosomes shorten

Crossing over and genetic recombination

occur
During Crossing over segments of non-

sister chromatids break and reattach to

the other chromatid. The Chiasmata
(chiasma) are the sites of crossing over
D iplotene
Paired homologous chromosome

separates partially ie:- except at chiasma

Spindles fully organized

Poles become defined

Nucleolus disorganized
D iakinesis
Maximum coiling and condensation

Nuclear envelope disintegrates

Nucleus as such dissappears

 M etaphase I
Shortest phase

Tetrads align on the metaphase plate.

INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT OCCURS

A naphase I

Homologous chromosomes separate

and move towards the poles.

Sister chromatids remain attached at

their centromeres.
Cohesins role???
 Telophase I

Each pole now has haploid set of

chromosomes.

Nucleolus forms
Nuclear membrane appears
M eiosis II

No interphase II
(or very short - no more DNA
replication)

Meiosis II is similar to mitosis

Comparison of Divisions
Mitosis Meiosis
Number of 2
1
divisions
Number of
2 4
daughter cells
Genetically
Yes No
identical?
Chromosome # Same as parent Half of parent
Where Somatic cells Germ cells
When Throughout life At sexual maturity
Growth and
Role Sexual reproduction
repair 19