The word "meiosis"

comes from the Greek

verb meioun, meaning
"to make small,"

A process of
reductional division in
which the number of
chromosomes per cell is
cut in half.
 Prophase I takes the most time.
Chromosomes begin to condense.
Cell is 2N (diploid) and 2
chromatids/chromosomes (like before
mitosis).
Synapsis occurs: homologous
chromosomes pair, their DNA aligns.
Crossing over may occur:
chromosomes exchange homologous
loci (between homologous pairs). The
point of crossing over is called the
chiasma.
Homologous chromosomes
align at cell equator to
form tetrads.
Chromosomes are pulled to
either side of the dividing
cell; one of each pair is pulled
toward each pole.
The nuclear envelope
may form again.
Two daughter cells are formed.
Nuclear envelope
disperses
Chromosomes align between poles
Chromatids segregate.
After cytokinesis, four
daughter cells are formed.
 
 Meiotic errors

Nondisjunction- homologues don't

separate in meiosis 1
1.Results in aneuploidy
2.Usually embryo lethal
3.Trisomy 21, exception leading to
Downs syndrome
4.Sex chromosomes
1.Turner syndrome: monosomy X
2.Klinefelter syndrome: XXY
Translocation and deletion: transfer
of a piece of one chromosome to
another or loss of fragment of a
chromosome.
 Comparing Meiosis and
Mitosis
Chromosome behavior
•Mitosis: Homologous chromosomes
independent
•Meiosis: Homologous chromosomes pair
forming bivalents until anaphase I

Chromosome number
•Mitosis- daughter cells diploid
•Meiosis- daughter cells haploid

Genetic identity of progeny: