Meiosis I: Reductional Cell Division

What type of cell division reduces the chromosome number by half?

Meiosis

Which division in meiosis is called reductional division?

Meiosis I

What type of cells are produced by meiosis?

Gametes

How many sets of chromosomes does a haploid cell have?

One set (n)

What term describes chromosomes that are similar and come from each parent?

Homologous chromosomes

What are the identical halves of a chromosome called?

Sister chromatids

Where are sister chromatids joined together?

Centromere

What process involves homologous chromosomes exchanging genetic material?

Crossing over

What is the term for the paired homologous chromosomes forming four chromatids?

Tetrad

What is the process of forming tetrads called?

Synapsis

In which stage do tetrads line up in the center of the cell?

Metaphase I

What principle explains that genes on different chromosomes are inherited independently?

Independent assortment

Which stage involves homologous chromosomes being pulled to opposite poles?

Anaphase I

What stage comes after Anaphase I, during which chromosomes reach opposite poles and, in some cells, the nuclear membrane reforms?

Telophase I

What process physically splits the cytoplasm into two cells?

Cytokinesis

How many haploid cells result from Meiosis I?

Two

What is the benefit of independent assortment during Metaphase I?

Genetic diversity

How many chromatids are in a tetrad?

Four

How does Meiosis I maintain chromosome stability across generations?

By reducing the chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n)

During Metaphase I, how are maternal and paternal chromosomes oriented?

Randomly

Which cellular event creates two genetically unique haploid cells?

Meiosis I

After Meiosis I, how many chromosomes are in each human cell?

23 chromosomes (each still made of two sister chromatids)

What is the chromosome number of a diploid cell?

Two sets of chromosomes (2n)

How many chromatids per chromosome are in haploid cells after Meiosis I?

Two sister chromatids

Before meiosis begins, which phase involves cell growth and DNA replication?

Interphase

During which stage of Meiosis I do homologous chromosomes pair and form tetrads?

Prophase I

In Anaphase I vs mitosis, what separates?

Homologs vs sister chromatids

When do sister chromatids separate?

Meiosis II

Together, which two processes create genetic diversity?

Crossing over + independent assortment

Why must gametes be haploid?

So fertilization restores the diploid number