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.