Lecture on Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to meiosis, sexual reproduction, and genetic variation, helping students understand the essential biological processes involved.

Asexual Reproduction

Offspring arises from a single parent and is genetically identical to that parent.

Binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction where an organism divides in half to create two new organisms.

Budding

A form of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud of the parent organism.

Parthenogenesis

A reproductive process where an embryo develops without fertilization by male gametes.

Sexual Reproduction

The mixing of DNA from two individuals to produce genetically distinct offspring.

Diploid

Cells that possess two sets of chromosomes, typical in parents during sexual reproduction.

Gametes

Specialized haploid cells involved in sexual reproduction, which contain one set of chromosomes.

Haploid

Cells that contain one set of chromosomes.

Meiosis

The division of a diploid germ cell into four haploid germ cells through one round of DNA replication and two successive nuclear divisions.

Meiosis I

The first division in meiosis where homologous chromosomes pair and then separate.

Meiosis II

The second division in meiosis where sister chromatids separate.

Independent assortment

The process during meiosis where non-homologous chromosomes are distributed randomly into gametes.

Crossing-Over

The exchange of chromosomal segments between maternal and paternal homologs during Prophase I.

Chiasma

The point where crossing-over occurs between homologous chromosomes.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologs or sister chromatids to separate properly during meiosis, leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Aneuploidy

A condition where there is an abnormal number of chromosomes, often resulting from nondisjunction.