Meiosis and Cytokinesis

Meiosis & Cytokinesis: Cell Division for Gamete Production

• Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.
• It occurs in special cells called germline cells.
• The purpose of meiosis is to maintain the chromosome number of a species over generations.
• Meiosis ensures genetic variability through the processes of crossing over of homologous chromosomes and random alignment of homologous chromosomes.
• Meiosis consists of two divisions: Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
• Meiosis I is known as the reduction division, which reduces the number of chromosomes from 46 to 23.
• Meiosis II is known as the equational division, which produces four cells from the two produced in Meiosis I.
• Each division of meiosis contains a prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• During prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair up and undergo crossing over, exchanging genetic material.
• The chromosomes condense and a spindle forms.
• The nuclear envelope breaks down during prophase I.
• Meiosis and cytokinesis together result in the production of gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Test your knowledge of Meiosis and Cytokinesis, the cell division processes that produce gametes and maintain the chromosome number of a species. Learn about the importance of crossing over and random alignment in ensuring genetic variability.