Chittenden Meiosis Vocab

What is sexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction is a biological process wherein organisms, such as humans, combine genetic material (gametes) from two parents to form offspring that possess a unique genetic makeup that is a blend of both parent organisms.

What is fertilization?

Fertilization refers to the process where the sperm cell fuses with the egg cell, resulting in the formation of a zygote that contains genetic material from both parents.

What are sister chromatids?

Sister chromatids are two identical copies of the same chromosome that are formed during DNA replication. They are joined together at a region called the centromere.

What happens in Meiosis I?

During Meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to the reduction in chromosome number by half, producing two haploid cells.

What happens in Meiosis II?

Meiosis II involves the separation of sister chromatids into individual chromosomes, similar to mitosis, producing four haploid daughter cells.

What is Interphase?

Interphase is the preparatory phase of the cell cycle where the cell undergoes growth and DNA replication in preparation for cell division.

What occurs in the G1 phase?

In the G1 phase, the cell undergoes growth, synthesizes proteins, and prepares for DNA replication.

What occurs during the S phase?

The S phase is the stage of interphase during which DNA replication occurs, resulting in the doubling of the number of chromosomes in the cell.

What happens during the G2 phase?

In the G2 phase, the cell continues to grow and undergoes final preparations for mitosis, including protein synthesis.

What is a tetrad?

A tetrad is a formation of four chromatids that occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes pair up, allowing for crossing over.

What is crossing over?

Crossing over is a genetic exchange process that occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, resulting in new combinations of genes.

What occurs in Metaphase I?

In Metaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosome pairs are aligned in the center of the cell, preparing for separation.

What happens in Anaphase I?

During Anaphase I, homologous chromosome pairs are pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell, moving towards the poles.

What occurs in Telophase I?

In Telophase I, the separated chromosomes reach the poles of the cell, and the nuclear membrane begins to reform around each set of chromosomes.

What is cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the process following nuclear division where the cytoplasm of the cell divides, resulting in two distinct daughter cells.

What occurs in Prophase II?

In Prophase II, the nuclear membrane dissolves, and spindle fibers form, attaching to the centromeres of the sister chromatids in each haploid cell.

What happens in Metaphase II?

During Metaphase II, sister chromatids align in the center of the cell, similar to the metaphase stage in mitosis.

What occurs in Anaphase II?

Anaphase II involves the separation of sister chromatids, which are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.

What happens in Telophase II?

In Telophase II, nuclear membranes reform around each set of chromosomes, resulting in four haploid nuclei, and spindle fibers disassemble.