Meiosis

Meiosis

A unique kind of cell division that cuts genetic information in half to form gametes.

Gametes

Reproductive cells in sexual reproduction, which include sperm and eggs.

Somatic cells

Body cells that have two complete sets of chromosomes and are produced by mitosis.

Fertilization

The process by which sperm and egg join together to form a zygote.

Haploid number

One complete set of chromosomes represented by the letter N, found in gametes.

Diploid

Cells that have two sets of chromosomes, typically represented as 2N.

Homologous chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes that contain the same genes, one inherited from each parent.

Crossing over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase 1 of meiosis.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that occurs after the nuclear divisions, resulting in separate cells.

Nondisjunction

The failure of chromosomes to separate correctly during meiosis, leading to gametes with abnormal numbers of chromosomes.

Aneuploid

An individual with an abnormal number of chromosomes resulting from nondisjunction.

Zygote

The first cell formed when a sperm cell and an egg cell combine during fertilization.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes.

Ploidy

The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell.

Tetrad

A structure formed during prophase 1 of meiosis when homologous chromosomes pair up.

Synaptonemal complex

A set of proteins that facilitate the pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.