LECTURE 6

MEIOSIS
 Introduction
• Meiosis is a type of nuclear division that
reduces the number of chromosome from the
diploid (2n) number to haploid (n) number.
• In humans, the diploid number of
chromosome is 46 and is reduced to a haploid
number of 23 by meiosis.
• Meiosis division occurs in reproductive cells
(gametes) such sperms and eggs.
• To avoid doubling of chromosome in later
generations, the number of chromosomes must
be halved before fertilisation occurs.
• Fertilisation through sexual reproduction
restores the diploid number of chromosome in
organisms.
• When a sperm and egg fuse during fertilisation
each haploid gamete contributes one set of
chromosome.
• As such the diploid number is restored in the
fertilised zygote.
Homologous chromosomes
• Most animals and plants are diploid containing
two sets of chromosomes.
• In each somatic (body) cell of a diploid organism,
the chromosomes occur in pairs.
• The members of each pair are called homologous
chromosomes (Homologues).
• Homologous chromosomes look alike containing
genes for the same trait in identical location
along their length.
• The genes consist of alleles, coding the same trait
but different characteristics.
• For example an allele of a gene on one
homologous may code for short fingers and the
allele of the same gene at the same location on
the other homologue may code for long fingers.
• A zygote and body cells have a pair of
homologous chromosome, one member of the
pair is inherited from the male parent (paternal)
and the other pair inherited from the female
parent (maternal).
• A gamete on the other hand has only one
chromosome of each kind of paternal and
maternal origin.
 Meiosis
• Meiosis consist of one round of chromosome
duplication and two rounds of nuclear
division.
• The two rounds of nuclear division are
referred to as meiosis I and meiosis II.
• Events that occur during each of the division
stage are analogous to the event in mitosis
hence the phase name assigned are similar.
• The phases of both Meiosis I and Meiosis II
are prophase, metaphase, anaphase and
telophase.
 MEIOSIS I
Prophase I
• It is of a very long duration and is also very
complex. It has been divided into the following
sub-stages.
a) Leptotene or Leptonema:
• This is the first stage of prophase 1 of meiosis.
• Chromosomes at this stage appear as long
thread like structures that are loosely
interwoven.
• Consist of condensing of the already replicated
chromosome, a process which continues
through prophase 1.
b) Zygotene or Zygonema:
• It is characterized by pairing of homologous
chromosomes (synapsis), which form bivalents.
• The pairing results in numerous points of
contact between homologous chromosome
known as synaptonemal complex.
• Once the pair up the homologous chromosome
are called tetrads or bivalents.
c) Pachytene or Pachynema:
• The chromosomes appear much thicker.
• At this stage, exchange of segments between
non sister chromatids of homologous
chromosomes known as crossing over
occurs.
• Two sister chromatids separate from each
other but the homologous chromosome
remain attached.
• The nucleolus still persists.
d) Diplotene or Diplonema:
• At this stage further thickening and
shortening of chromosomes takes place.
• Homologous chromosomes start separating
from one another as the synaptonemal
complex breaks down.
• Chromosomes still remain held together at
points of cross over known as chiasmata.
e) Diakinesis:
• It is the final step of Prophase 1 and
termination of the condensing of the
chromosomes.
• The chromosomes are at their most
condensed form.
• Chiasmata and bivalent structure are seen
more clearly under an electron microscope.
• The homologous chromosome in a bivalent
are still connected by chiasmata
Premetaphase I
• Kinetochore appear around the centromere of
homologous chromosome.
• Microtubules or spindle fibre emanate from the
centrosomes located at opposite poles of a cell.
• Spindle fibre microtubules attach to the
kinetochores of the homologous chromosome.
• Each chromosome is attached to the opposite
poles of the cell.
Metaphase I
• Bivalents held together by chiasmata move
towards the metaphase plate (equator).
• Spindles are fully formed and attached to the
kinetochore of homologous chromosome.
• Bivalents independently align themselves at the
metaphase plate of the cell (independent or
random assortment).
• The orientation of each tetrad is independent of
the other tetrads.
• Unique combination of maternal and paternal
chromosomes make their way into the gametes.
• Independent assortment is the second
mechanism that introduces variation in the
gametes.
Anaphase I
• The chiasmata is broken, homologous
chromosome separate and are pulled to the
opposite poles by microtubules.
• Sister chromatids do not separate, each
chromosome still has two chromatids attached
at the centromere.
Telophase I
• Separated members of the homologous
chromosomes arrive the opposite poles.
• In some organisms, the chromosome de-
condenses and nuclear envelope forms.
• In other organisms the physical separation of
cytoplasmic components into two daughter
cells occurs without formation of the nuclei.
• In animals and some fungi, cytokinesis separate
cell content through formation of cleavage
furrow while in plant it through formation of
the cell plate.
 Interkinesis
• Following telophase I, the cells enter a brief
interphase stage called interkinesis.
• The processes of interkinesis lacks an S phase
hence DNA replication does not occur because
the chromosomes are already duplicated.
• The mechanism of meiosis II is similar to
mitosis.
 MEOSIS II
Prophase II
• If chromosome decondesed in telophase I, they
condense again and become visible.
• If nuclear envelopes was formed, they dis-
integrate.
• Centrosome that duplicated during interkinesis
separate and begin to move apart.
• Spindle fibers also emerge from the centrosome.
 Pre-metaphase II
• The nuclear envelope are completely broken.
• The centrosome have arrived at the poles.
• The spindle fibers are fully formed
• Each sister chromatid of the chromosome
forms a kinetochore around the centromere.
• Spindle fibers emerging from the centrosome
located at the poles attach to the kinetochore
of the chromosome.
 Metaphase II
• The sister chromatids are completely
condensed and aligned at the equator of the
cell.
• Each sister chromatid is attached to the
kinotochore spindle fibre from opposite poles.
Anaphase II
• The sister chromatids are pulled apart by the
kinetochore spindle fibres.
• Non kinetochore spindle fibres elongate or
stretched the cell.
 Telophase II
• Chromosome arrive at the poles and begin to
decondense.
• Nuclear envelope forms around the
chromosome.
• Cytokinesis separates the two cells into four
unique haploid cells.
• The cells produced are genetically different
because of the random assortment of paternal
and maternal homologue and also because of
the recombining of maternal and paternal
segment of chromosome during cross over.
 Significance of meiosis
1. Sexual reproduction
• Meosis plays an important role in the
formation of gamates (gametogenesis).
• Male gamatogenesis is termed
spermatogenesis and occurs in the
spermatogonia
• For each diploid spermatocyte that enter
meiosis, 4 haploid sperms cells are produced.
• Female gametogenesis is called Oogenesis
and occur in Oogonia.
• For each diploid Oocyte that enter meiosis,
only one haploid egg is formed. ( The others
are polar bodies destroyed during meiosis I
and II).
• The sperm and egg are important for sexual
reproduction during fertilisation.
2. Genetic variation.
• Meiosis helps to bring about genetic variation
through crossing over and independent
assortment of homologous chromosome.
• The genetic variation achieved through
meiosis in important to the long term survival
of species.
• Under changing environmental conditions
offspring may have a better chance of survival
and reproductive success.
END OF LECTURE!
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