AP Bio - Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction

Mitosis

Cell division producing identical daughter cells

Asexual reproduction

Single-celled organisms producing clones with same genetic information

Sexual reproduction

Joining of egg and sperm to produce genetically different offspring

Budding

A form of asexual reproduction in simple multicellular eukaryotes

Disadvantages of asexual reproduction

Lack of genetic variation and adaptability

Advantages of asexual reproduction

Efficient and rapid reproduction without the need for a mate

Meiosis

Process of producing haploid gametes with half the number of chromosomes

Fertilization

Joining of egg and sperm to form a diploid zygote

Homologous chromosomes

Paired chromosomes carrying matching genes and controlling inherited characters

Diploid

Chromosome number of 2n, representing full set of chromosomes

Haploid

Chromosome number of n, representing a half set of chromosomes

Overview of meiosis

Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase in two divisions

DNA replication

Duplication of DNA before meiosis

Synapsis

Pairing of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis

Tetrad

Structure formed by paired homologous chromosomes during prophase I, called tetrad since there are 4 sister chromatids.

Crossing over

Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I

Gametes

Haploid cells produced by meiosis, such as sperm and eggs

Genetic recombination

Mixing of alleles and genetic variation through independent assortment and crossing over

Independent assortment of chromosomes

Random alignment of homologous chromosomes in metaphase I, contributing to genetic variation

Variation from crossing over

Creation of new combinations of traits on chromosomes during prophase I

Variation from random fertilization

Combining of different sperm and egg to produce unique diploid combinations

Sperm production

Process of producing sperm cells through meiosis in the testes

Egg production

Process of producing eggs through meiosis

Oogenesis

Formation of eggs with unequal divisions and production of polar bodies

Ovulation

Release of mature egg from the ovary

Polar Body

a small cell containing little cytoplasm that is produced along with the oocyte and later discarded

Spermatogenesis

the production of sperm cells