Meiosis and Chromosomes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards from lecture notes on Meiosis and Chromosomes.

Meiosis

A process that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells).

Gametes

Cells that contain half the number of chromosomes as somatic cells; sperm and egg cells.

Diploid

Having 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in humans, found in body cells.

Haploid

Having 23 chromosomes in humans, found in sperm and egg cells.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during Prophase I of meiosis.

Independent Assortment

Homologous pairs line up randomly at the metaphase plate during metaphase I.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division.

Genes

Segments of DNA that code for the production of specific proteins.

Alleles

Different versions of the same gene.

Homologous Chromosomes

Matched chromosomes in terms of length, gene position, and centromere location.

Centromere

Structure in a chromosome that holds together sister chromatids.

Chromatid

One of the strands of a replicated chromosome.

Chromatin

The material that makes up chromosomes; composed of DNA and proteins (histones).