Meiosis Overview Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is meiosis?

Occurs only in somatic cells

Creates 2 diploid cells from a haploid cell

Is a stage of mitosis

Creates 4 haploid gamete cells from a diploid cell (correct)

What happens during interphase?

A period of normal growth and existence of the cell; DNA replicates during S phase.

What occurs during prophase I?

Copied DNA starts to coil into visible chromosomes connected by centromeres; homologous chromosomes pair up.

What is crossing over?

During prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair together and sometimes share genetic information. Signup and view all the answers

What are homologous chromosomes?

Matching chromosomes from mom and dad. Signup and view all the answers

Describe metaphase I.

Spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of homologous chromosomes; chromosomes line up in the middle of the spindles. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during anaphase I?

Spindle fibers start to pull on the chromosomes, and each homologous chromosome moves to opposite ends of the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in telophase I?

Nuclear membranes start to form around the chromosomes; cytokinesis occurs, resulting in two diploid cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is cytokinesis?

Cytoplasm divides; cell membrane forms between each new cell. Signup and view all the answers

Explain prophase II.

Nuclear membranes start to dissolve again; spindle fibers begin to reform. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during metaphase II?

Spindle fibers fully formed and attach to the centromeres; chromosomes line up in the middle of each cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of anaphase II?

Spindle fibers pull sister chromatids apart; each goes towards opposite ends of the cell. Signup and view all the answers

Describe telophase II.

Nuclear membranes start to form around the chromosomes; cytokinesis occurs, resulting in four haploid cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is a haploid cell?

A cell containing only one set of chromosomes; for example, an egg cell or a sperm cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is a diploid cell?

A cell containing two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sister chromatid?

Identical replications of a chromosome joined together by the centromere; replicated in interphase S phase. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Meiosis

Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces four haploid gametes from one diploid cell.
It consists of two sequential divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.

Interphase

Interphase is the cell's growth phase, where it prepares for division.
DNA replication occurs during the S phase of interphase.

Meiosis I

Prophase I: DNA coils into visible chromosomes, homologous chromosomes pair up.
Crossing Over: During prophase I, homologous chromosomes exchange genetic information, increasing genetic variation.
Metaphase I: Chromosomes line up in the center of the cell; spindle fibers attach to centromeres.
Anaphase I: Spindle fibers pull homologous chromosomes to opposite ends of the cell.
Telophase I: Nuclear membranes form around the separated chromosomes; cytokinesis divides the cell into two diploid cells.

Meiosis II

Prophase II: Nuclear membranes dissolve again; spindle fibers re-form in each diploid cell.
Metaphase II: Chromosomes line up in the center of each cell; spindle fibers attach to centromeres.
Anaphase II: Sister chromatids are pulled apart, moving towards opposite poles of each cell.
Telophase II: Nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes; cytokinesis results in four haploid cells.

Key Cell Types

Haploid Cell: Contains one set of chromosomes; examples include egg and sperm cells.
Diploid Cell: Contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent; humans have 32 pairs of chromosomes.

Chromosome Structure

Sister Chromatid: Identical copies of a chromosome joined by a centromere; formed during the S phase and separated during meiosis II.

Summary of Meiosis Phases

Interphase sets the stage for meiosis through DNA replication.
Meiosis I focuses on separating homologous chromosomes.
Meiosis II separates sister chromatids to create four haploid cells capable of fertilization.

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Description

Test your knowledge on meiosis, a crucial process of cell division that leads to the formation of gametes. This quiz covers interphase, meiosis I and II stages, and the importance of crossing over in genetic variation.